High profile ABC news presenter under fire over Twitter lists that described critics as 'Labor trolls' and 'lobotomised sh**heads'

  • Reportedly had two lists - 'Labor Trolls/Thugs' and 'Lobotomised sh**heads' 
  • Some on social media said ABC reporter's account must have been hacked 
  • ABC spokeswoman said 'This is a private Twitter account, not an ABC account' 

By PADRAIG COLLINS, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

A high profile ABC presenter has faced criticism over two controversial lists on her personal Twitter account labelling critics 'Labor Trolls/Thugs' and 'Lobotomised sh**heads'.

ABC Breakfast News presenter Fauziah Ibrahim's controversial lists were discovered on Saturday afternoon.

Social media users who found themselves grouped in the two lists - which were made public on Ms Ibrahim's account - accused her of displaying anti-Labor bias. 

One person on the list contacted Ms Ibrahim through Twitter to say 'I see you've created a Twitter 'List' titled "Labor Trolls/Thugs" You have me on that list, why? 

 

ABC presenter Fauziah Ibrahim (pictured) is in hot water over two controversial lists on her personal Twitter acoount

ABC presenter Fauziah Ibrahim (pictured) is in hot water over two controversial lists on her personal Twitter acoount

'How is this in-keeping with ABC's social media policy? How can you report impartially now this is public?'

Some on social media said Ms Ibrahim's account must have been hacked, but she has not said this was the case. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Ibrahim seeking comment for this story. 

An ABC spokeswoman said 'This is a private Twitter account, not an ABC account. We are investigating what has occurred.'

Former Labor Senator Doug Cameron was one of those on the list.  

'Thanks to those who alerted me I made the list of 'lobotomised sh**heads',' he said.

Media commentator and former journalist Mike Carlton accused Ms Ibrahim of 'trashing the ABC impartially and blowing her own credibility' in a scathing tweet.

Pictured is Labor leader Anthony Albanese. An ABC presenter has been lambasted on social media for allegedly having Twitter lists titled 'Labor Trolls/Thugs' and 'Lobotomised sh**heads'

Pictured is Labor leader Anthony Albanese. An ABC presenter has been lambasted on social media for allegedly having Twitter lists titled 'Labor Trolls/Thugs' and 'Lobotomised sh**heads'

Many commenters were calling for Ms Ibrahim to be sacked over the lists which some critics claim expose an anti-Labor bias. 

'If the ABC News has any credibility, they would immediately fire one of their on-air presenters who has compiled a "Labor trolls and thugs" list, or at least take them off air during the election campaign,' one said.   

ABC paid journalist Louise Milligan's (pictured) legal costs of almost $200,000 after she was sued by federal MP Andrew Laming over a series of tweets

ABC paid journalist Louise Milligan's (pictured) legal costs of almost $200,000 after she was sued by federal MP Andrew Laming over a series of tweets

'It's about the BLATANT BIAS we see from way too many ABC presenters.'    

Last August ABC published guidelines for the personal use of social media by its staff.

This followed paid it paying journalist Louise Milligan's personal legal costs of almost $200,000 after she was sued by federal MP Andrew Laming over a series of tweets.   

The broadcaster's new policy makes clear staff risk being losing their job if they compromise ABC's independence or bring it into disrepute. 

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