The Australian mainstream media has come under fire for running news stories that disparaged Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, the victim of a terror attack during a church service in Sydney.

The mainstream media is disgusting https://t.co/hlWxsFJmrI

— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) April 16, 2024

🚨#BREAKING: Sydney-based Islamic extremist CELEBRATES stabbing terror attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel

"Anyone who talks about the prophet deserves to get slaughtered... and this kid had the courage to go and do what he done"

Full story: https://t.co/yPMqex27Ox pic.twitter.com/RhZkW2jpKK

— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) April 17, 2024

The assailant, a 16-year-old boy, targeted the bishop during a live-streamed church service, stabbing him multiple times as horrified parishioners rushed to the bishop's aid.

The media: stabbing women is a national tragedy 😢

Also the media: some guy got stabbed but he was a priest who didn’t like lockdowns, so… meh 🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/kXavgVVhy0

— John Goddard (@nonestlex) April 15, 2024

However, in the aftermath of the attack, news.com.au published a story titled 'The Assyrian Bishop who was allegedly stabbed during a live streamed church service had a colourful past,' painting the bishop in a negative light for his views on the Covid-19 pandemic and his 'anti-LGBTQ' sermons.

Wow @newscomauHQ

No wonder you dont have a name to this piece of shit headline and article. https://t.co/T240tb8Mz6

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) April 16, 2024

The Sydney Morning Herald joined in, calling the bishop's words 'inflammatory' and blaming him for attracting 'radical Christians' to his sermons.

A new low for the SMH—demonising the Christian victim of an Islamist terror attack https://t.co/iUiT6MKKbK

— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) April 16, 2024

The Daily Mail Australia also chimed in, branding Emmanuel as an 'anti-vaxxer.'

Wtf? pic.twitter.com/t6Gv2A4K06

— Rothmus 🏴 (@Rothmus) April 16, 2024

The backlash against the media outlets has been swift and widespread on social media, with many calling out the media for attacking the victim instead of focusing on the perpetrator of the hate-fuelled terror attack.

Critics argue that the media's actions are an attempt to deflect attention from the real issue – a radical Islamist attacking a Christian cleric.

Some have pointed out that the media's coverage is indicative of a larger problem within Australian society, where certain narratives and individuals are targeted and demonised.

🚨This is the REAL reason a young Jihadi entered the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney with the intent to murder Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel

The terrorist shouted 'Allah Akbar' as he frantically stabbed the priest because the Christian leader 'offended his religion'.

Full… pic.twitter.com/o4pzKBWGbG

— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) April 17, 2024

Witnesses confirmed the attacker had yelled 'Allahu Akbar' repeatedly during the incident which was streamed live to shocked viewers.

Authorities have established Strike Force Petrina to investigate the incident in collaboration with the joint counterterrorism investigation team, involving NSW Police, AFP, and other Commonwealth agencies.