ABC managing director David Anderson has defended the broadcaster’s coverage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas after controversial text messages leaked from a Whatsapp group with other international media members. During a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday, Anderson was criticised by Liberal senators Hollie Hughes and Sarah Henderson over the broadcaster’s coverage of the ongoing violence in Gaza. The pair questioned the text messages and an interview on ABC’s 7.30, featuring Hamas’ head of international relations and former health minister, Dr Basem Naim. Joyner, who Anderson said is remorseful over the comments, is being investigated by the ABC, with the ABC boss adding that the journalist had “the right to procedural fairness”. This is not the first time this month that ABC coverage has come under scrutiny, with the public broadcaster receiving backlash over their coverage of the voice referendum.