The Zionist Federation of Australia has launched one of the most extraordinary legal actions we have ever seen, a sprawling 18C case against former SBS newsreader Mary Kostakidis over 61 tweets and retweets. This episode breaks down exactly what is being dragged into the Federal Court, from October 7 narratives and Gaza to Epstein, Mossad, Hezbollah, UK politics, CIA operations and even the history of Israel itself. A single lawsuit that could choke the courts for years and reshape free speech in Australia.
Why is this happening, who benefits, and what precedent could it set for journalists, academics and anyone who posts online? We take you through the claim and Mary’s defence, including the argument that this case is part of a wider attempt to silence critics of Israel.
00:00: The Mary Kostakidis Lawsuit
03:10: What the Court Will Now Litigate
10:45: Free Speech and the Chilling Effect
18:55: Why This Case Matters for Australia
Michael West established Michael West Media in 2016 to focus on journalism of high public interest, particularly the rising power of corporations over democracy. West was formerly a journalist and editor with Fairfax newspapers, a columnist for News Corp and even, once, a stockbroker.
