Former SBS news presenter Mary Kostakidis has received Consortium News’ 2026 Gary Webb Freedom of the Press Award, even as she faces a racial discrimination case in Australia’s Federal Court over social media posts about Gaza, The Greek Herald reported.
The award was presented in Sydney on June 14 by Consortium News editor Joe Lauria, who said it recognizes journalists who challenge official narratives and face professional repercussions for their reporting.
Kostakidis is defending a lawsuit brought by the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, alleging two posts she made on X in January 2024 breached the Racial Discrimination Act. Her lawyers argue the posts were political commentary directed at the Israeli government rather than Jewish people.
Consortium News described Kostakidis as a journalist of “enormous courage,” linking her case to broader debates over freedom of expression and political speech related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
