Stan Grant’s ABC colleagues have thrown their support behind the broadcaster after he walked away from the ABC after receiving “relentless” racial abuse.
The Q + A host said the ABC had failed to utter “one word of public support” as he faced severe racial abuse following his appearance during the network's coverage of the King’s Coronation.
“I am writing this because no one at the ABC — whose producers invited me onto their coronation coverage as a guest — has uttered one word of public support,” Grant wrote in a column explaining his decision.
“Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me. I don't hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure.”
Since the 59-year-old’s announcement several journalists including some of his ABC colleagues have publicly voiced their support for him and condemned the attacks.
ABC’s 7.30 – flagship current affairs program – host Sarah Ferguson was among the leading voices to reach out in support of Grant.
“Stan Grant is an admired colleague. The abuse directed at him is disgusting,” she tweeted.
“There are no words adequate to the horror we feel at this. Stan is brilliant and cherished.”
ABC’s Melbourne morning radio host Virginia Trioli added she was “appalled and saddened” to hear the racially motivated abuse levelled at her colleague.
“I’m appalled and saddened that Stan Grant, a brilliant broadcaster and thinker, has been forced from the ever-crucial contest of ideas,” she wrote.
“If this country can’t have a civil debate about recognition, racism and the legacy of colonialism then we are lost. I hope he returns soon.”
Patricia Karvelas – ABC Radio National’s breakfast host – called for the “hate” from viewers to stop.
“I like many have felt sick about the racial abuse Stan Grant has experienced and the bullying from media that should know better,” she said.
“Stan and I have often talked about how hostile it is to be identified publicly through the lens of your diversity. The hate has to stop.”
James Massola – national affairs editor at the Sydney Morning Herald – also voiced his support of Grant.
“An incredibly powerful piece from Stan Grant about being targeted for racist abuse, misrepresented and judged. He is walking away from Q&A, and says he has not been supported by the ABC,” he wrote.
The abuse followed Grant’s appearance on the ABC’s coverage of the King’s Coronation where he “pointed out that the crown represents the invasion and theft of our land” and discussed the stolen generations.
Following the program the ABC was swamped with more than 1,000 complaints about the coverage.
In his column explaining the decision to take time away from the National Broadcaster Grant said the media had twisted his words and accused him of “maligning Australia” while viewers took aim at his family.
“Since the King's coronation, I have seen people in the media lie and distort my words. They have tried to depict me as hate filled. They have accused me of maligning Australia,” he wrote.
“On social media my family and I are regularly racially mocked or abused. This is not new. Barely a week goes by when I am not racially targeted. My wife is targeted with abuse for being married to a Wiradjuri man.
“I don't even read it, yet I can't escape it. People stop me in the street to tell me how vile it is. They tell me how sorry they are. Although I try to shield myself from it, the fact it is out there poisons the air I breathe.”
The ABC was also criticised for failing to publicly condemn the abuse and support him in the face of racially motivated personal attacks.
Following Grant’s column ABC news director Justin Stevens issued a statement labelling the abuse against the Q+A presenter “abhorrent and unacceptable”.
“Over many months, but particularly in recent days, Stan Grant has been subject to grotesque racist abuse, including threats to his safety,” Mr Stevens wrote.
“This has become particularly virulent since he appeared as part of the ABC’s Coronation coverage.
“The ABC has and will continue to refer any threats to police. Already this year the ABC has lodged a detailed complaint with Twitter over the racist abuse of Stan being published on its platform.”
Mr Stevens explained Grant had been invited onto the Coronation program as a “Wiradjuri man” to discuss his own experience and the role of the monarchy in Australia in relation to Indigenous history.
The news director admitted the coverage was met with a “strong response” from viewers but insisted Grant should not be the subject of any abuse.
“Any complaints, criticism – or vitriol – regarding the coverage should be directed to me, not to him,” he said.
Grant will present Q+A on Monday night before walking away for an indefinite amount of time.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0QFodHRwczovL3d3dy5za3luZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9idXNpbmVzcy9tZWRpYS9hYmMtam91cm5hbGlzdHMtdm9pY2Utc3VwcG9ydC1mb3Itc3Rhbi1ncmFudC1hcy12ZXRlcmFuLWJyb2FkY2FzdGVyLXRha2VzLXRpbWUtYXdheS1hZnRlci1yZWNlaXZpbmctcmVsZW50bGVzcy1yYWNpYWwtYWJ1c2UvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9hMWEyMmQwZDdlNjJkZDVlN2Q2N2M3ZDlkOWZkYzNiNdIBAA?oc=5
2023-05-19 22:36:55Z
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