ABC News Daily The boycott that killed Adelaide Writers’ Week
8 snips
Jan 13, 2026 Denis Muller, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Advancing Journalism and co-host of the Truth, Lies and Media podcast, dives deep into the cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week. He discusses the controversy surrounding author Randa Abdel-Fattah’s removal due to cultural sensitivities and highlights the irony of silencing important voices. The conversation touches on free speech, government pressure, and the complexities of defining cultural safety. Muller warns against restricting speech in response to violence, advocating for more robust boards to handle sensitive topics.
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Irony Of Silencing A Storyteller
- Randa Abdel-Fattah's book questions who has the right to tell stories and be heard, especially about Gaza.
- Denis Muller notes the irony of silencing that author at a festival discussing such themes.
Controversial Statements Need Due Process
- Abdel-Fattah has made provocative statements about Zionism and Israel that many view as extreme.
- Muller argues those statements should be tested in dialogue, not used to pre-emptively silence her without allowing a response.
Cultural Sensitivity Is A Low Bar
- The board cited "cultural insensitivity" rather than racism or anti-Semitism when rescinding the invitation.
- Muller warns that cultural sensitivity is too vague a standard to curb free speech responsibly.
