SBS Journo Punted For “Vile” Anzac Day Tweets

An SBS employee has been swiftly removed of his duties after he used Anzac Day to disparage Australian service personnel.

Scott McIntyre, a football reporter for SBS, used the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli to launch into a somewhat bizarre and offensive vitriolic rant against Australia’s war history.

Mr McIntrye posted on Twitter that Australians commemorating the sacred day were “poorly-read, largely white, nationalist drinkers and gamblers”. This, despite record turnouts to Anzac Day celebrations on Saturday.

Wonder if the poorly-read, largely white, nationalist drinkers and gamblers pause today to consider the horror that all mankind suffered.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015

Remembering the summary execution, widespread rape and theft committed by these ‘brave’ Anzacs in Egypt, Palestine and Japan.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015

“Not forgetting that the largest single-day terrorist attacks in history were committed by this nation and their allies in Hiroshima & Nagasaki.”

Federal communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, lead a chorus of people condemning the comments.

“Difficult to think of more offensive or inappropriate comments,” Mr Turnbull tweeted.” Despicable remarks which deserve to be condemned.”

McIntryre’s now former employer, SBS, was also quick to distant themselves from the brouhaha. It called the tweets”inappropriate and disrespectful” and said the now former employee’s position at the public broadcaster had “become untenable”.

“Mr McIntyre’s actions have breached the SBS Code of Conduct and social media policy and as a result, SBS has taken decisive action to terminate Mr McIntyre’s position at SBS, with immediate effect,” the statement said.

“At SBS, employees on and off air are encouraged to participate in social media, however maintaining the integrity of the network and audience trust is vital. It is unfortunate that on this very important occasion, Mr McIntyre’s comments have compromised both.

“SBS apologises for any offence or harm caused by Mr McIntyre’s comments which in no way reflect the views of the network. SBS supports our Anzacs and has devoted unprecedented resources to coverage of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.”

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