Sharri Markson comments on defamation action
Sharri Markson, a senior journalist at The Australian newspaper, has commented on a defamation suit brought against her and the paper by NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane.
Sharri Markson
Moselmane, NSW’s first Muslim Member of Parliament has launched the action case based a report that he made an antisemitic speech in 2013 and described Jewish advocacy groups as being “malicious and cancerous”.
He has also taking action on reports that he deserved to be expelled from the Legislative Council of NSW because of “his racial statements.”
Markson wrote a column for the newspaper earlier this month under the headline of “Racist Views Pushing ALP’s Stand on Israel” published ahead of a NSW Labor conference at which the Labor Friends of Palestine had been attempting to ban NSW Labor politicians from participating in sponsored trips to Israel organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council.
The conference which took place in Sydney on February 13 and 14 voted in favour of a motion encouraging politicians to visit the region and to spend available time with both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Sharri Markson told J-Wire “I have never called anyone antisemitic for criticising Israel. In a clearly labelled comment piece, I expressed my honest opinion. I hope this case doesn’t try to stifle freedom of speech.”
Markson visited Israel herself on a sponsored tour as a guest of The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council. The tour was run jointly with The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies.
The case has been set down for a preliminary hearing on May 6.
Samuel terry. Can you please verify that the labor mp has no connection financial or otherwise to any Arab lobby groups ?
It beggars comprehension that folk do not understand simple “quid pro quo”. Accept money from a dogfood company and you will be expected to support their brand of dogfood.
For Sharri Markson to write “I expressed my honest opinion”, given her paid VIP trip to Israel and having no understanding of quid pro quo, is plainly dishonest.
That comment smacks of narrow minded bigotry. The condescending comparison of a sponsored trip to Israel to getting money from a dog food company has zero credibility.
Perhaps every professional reviewer of a movie, theater or restaurant who is also given free access cannot provide a professional assessment?
Perhaps you are uninformed about the fact that all such trips include significant time with Arab leaders?
It seems your comment is worse than dishonest, it is insulting and hateful nonsense.
David. It would seem that you are unfamiliar with arguments on the programme “Media Watch”, when correspondents fail to attribute sources. Nor reviews of airlines/holidays etc. where a footnote is required to indicate that the critic was flown/entertained by the subject of the article. I just happen to be interested in pets. I could have chosen cosmetics or motorcars.
Please indicate the “bigotry” or “insult” that you found.
Regards.
Mr Terry, please take note that Markson has not hidden the fact that she travelled to the region courtesy of a sponsored trip. Also note that people take their minds with them when they go on these trips and can work out for themselves, after visiting Israel and the territories, what they feel about the overall situation there. Your analogy is completely false; there is no obligation to repay or flatter “the dog food company” that happened to pay for the trip.
This comment is addressed to both Messrs Adler and Silver.
I am not criticizing Ms Sharri Makson, nor anybody else. My simple premise was that once she has accepted a gift, she is no longer able to say “I expressed my honest opinion”. And this statement applies to all members of NSW public bodies.
Regards.
Bottom line, Mr Terry, do you agree with the Labor MP’s view of the nature of Jewish advocacy groups, or lobby groups, if that is your preferred nomenclature?