Veteran cricket broadcaster and journalist Peter Lalor has been axed by SEN radio over several social media posts he has published online in relation to the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Lalor claimed that pictures, articles and videos that he had posted on his X feed in relation to the plight of those suffering in Palestine was the cause of the matter.
Station cheif Craig Hutchison later confirmed that Lalor would be leaving the broadcasting organisation and said in a statement that they had ‘differing views’ over the impact the posts on his private channels had to members of the Australian community.
Lalor, who hails from Victoria, has worked as a journalist for nearly 30 years, notably being appointed as the chief cricket writer at The Australian before retiring from that post in February 2024.
The journalist had subsequently taken up positions with SEN and Channel 7 had been working as a commentator for Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka.
He had been commentating on the opening Test when he was informed that his services would no longer be needed. Lalor revealed he had received calls with the station’s powerbrokers on Day Three in Galle, before SEN made the decision to part company with Lalor the following day.
Cricket journalist Peter Lalor has been axed from his role with SEN Radio over a disagreement in relation to multiple social media posts he has published in relation to the conflict in Palestine
Lalor had been told by the organisation’s boss Craig Hutchison of the decision during the Fourth Day of the opening Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Galle
‘I was told in one call there were serious organisations making complaints; in another, I was told that this was not the case,’ Lalor said in a statement.
‘Perhaps I misunderstood. I was told there were accusations I was antisemitic which I strongly objected to. I was told my retweeting was not balanced and insensitive to one side and that many people had complained.
‘I was asked by station boss Craig Hutchison, who was civil if I didn’t care that my retweeting of events in Gaza made Jewish people in Melbourne feel unsafe. I said I didn’t want anyone to feel unsafe. Of course, I care. I have friends who are frightened and have heard the fear in their voices during conversations. It is an awful situation. But so is Gaza. It was a brief and cordial call.
‘The following day Hutchison told me that because the ‘sound of my voice made people feel unsafe’ and that people are ‘triggered by my voice’, I could not cover the cricket for them anymore.’
It is understood that his colleagues were informed about the decision on Day Four of the opening Test.
SEN has also issued a statement on his departure ahead of the second Test which is due to begin on Thursday this week.
Lalor had previously worked as the chief cricket writer for The Australian but stepped down from his role last year
‘Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) confirms it has parted ways with Peter Lalor, a freelance commentator within SEN’s cricket coverage,’ it said in a statement.
SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison added: ‘We’ve been in dialogue through the back half of the [first] Test [in Sri Lanka] about some of the commentary on Peter’s private social media feed. Peter and I have a different view of the impact of that in the Australian community.
‘SEN Cricket is a celebration of differences and nationalities and a place where our SEN audience can escape what is an increasingly complex and sometimes triggering world.
‘We respect Pete as a journalist and long-time contributor to the game but also acknowledge the fear that many families in our community feel right now, and we also need to respect that.’
