News Corp CEO apologises for Nazi salute

The CEO of Foxtel, a cable television company in Australia majority-owned by News Corp, has issued an "unreserved" apology following the emergence of a photograph showing him making a Nazi salute.

Patrick Delaney claimed he was merely highlighting the resemblance between the gesture captured in the photo and one commonly used by sure fans of a Western Sydney football club ten years ago.

In an email to staff, he acknowledged that the offensive salute he demonstrated was wrong regardless of the context.

The Jewish Council of Australia has strongly criticised Mr Delaney's actions, describing them as "deeply concerning."

"It is alarming that he works in an industry where he believed this behaviour was acceptable," stated the council executive officer Sarah Schwartz in a press release on Monday. "The salute is widely regarded as an offensive and violent act, not only for Jews but also for other racialised groups. This should be self-evident."

Mr. Delaney, in an internal memo, expressed his contemplation over the possibility of a circumstance where a photo of him in this pose could have been taken.

During his explanation, he stated that he thought he was mimicking a menacing action performed by a faction of Western Sydney Wanderers supporters in the 2014-15 season. This incident occurred when he was on the set of a Fox Sports TV show, back when he was the CEO of the channel.

In a statement, Mr Delaney expressed his strong disapproval of the photograph, which Crikey initially released. He emphasised that the image contradicted his principles, beliefs, and familial ties.

In addition, he strongly criticised racism in all its manifestations, highlighting his dedication to the 'Say No to Antisemitism letter' that he endorsed alongside other influential Australian leaders following the unprecedented Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October.

In the aftermath of the attack, a devastating toll emerged - with approximately 1,200 lives tragically lost and an additional 251 individuals held captive.

Mr Delaney plans to maintain ongoing meetings with Jewish leaders to convey his profound remorse.

According to Ms. Schwartz, the fact that Mr. Delaney could sign a letter denouncing antisemitism while also engaging in a Nazi salute raises questions about the sincerity of his actions. It highlights the need for more than just empty promises.

Amidst rising community tension over the Israel-Gaza war, Australia finds itself grappling with a sharp uptick in both antisemitism and Islamophobia. This scandal only adds to the already complex situation.

In July, the federal government took action by appointing a special envoy to address antisemitism and making a commitment to appoint an equivalent envoy to combat Islamophobia shortly.

During his visit to Sydney in November, Lachlan Murdoch emphasised the importance of addressing and confronting antisemitism to News Corp's staff in Australia. He clarified that this issue has no space for ambiguity or neutrality.

Foxtel, once a fixture in households across the country, has experienced a significant decline in its business model in recent years. This decline can be attributed to the emergence of more affordable international streaming services, which have displaced Foxtel as the preferred choice for many consumers.

In a recent announcement, News Corp revealed that it is considering selling the struggling pay TV company.