The ABC has apologised after numerous staff members came forward reporting they had experienced racism at the public broadcaster.
The ABC has reported that a group of Indigenous and culturally diverse ABC News Staff came forward and shared they felt they’d experienced racism and cultural insensitivity while working there.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, an internal investigation found that there were issues with cultural insensitivity. After, an internal advisory group spoke with Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse staff members.
In response, Justin Stevens, The ABC’s director of news, analysis and investigations addressed staff in a heartfelt email,
The ABC reported he wrote: “To anyone in News who has ever experienced any racism or bigotry in our workplace, current and former News employees, as Director, News I would like to express my sorrow for that and make a heartfelt apology.
Steven went on to write, “Every one of our colleagues who is Indigenous, from a diverse background or is a person with a disability is here because they deserve to be, based on their talent, and because they have earned that place through hard work,”
Stevens also said immediate action would be taken to address their concerns.
Naturally, the internet also weighed in.
i suspect this is the tip of iceberg & ABC shld conduct an independent, external, transparent investigation into racism
ABC apologises to staff for racism in newsrooms, after reports of exclusion and insensitivity https://t.co/FtpcqBP8HT
— kk (@flashblak) June 16, 2022
Don't believe there is a crisis of racism at the ABC. Do believe a small number of employees stew on racism every waking moment and see the world through that swamp.https://t.co/srqbfHhmxB
— John Ruddick MLC (@JohnRuddick2) June 16, 2022
ABC News Director Justin Stevens has sent a long email to all news staff detailing the results of an internal review on workplace inclusivity. He apologises to past and present employees who’ve experienced racism. It actually made me tear up. Acknowledgement is an important step pic.twitter.com/RM7jnpNgtb
— Antoinette Lattouf (@antoinette_news) June 16, 2022
Stevens’ is fairly new to his role, after coming from 7.30 as an executive producer in April. Clearly, he has his work cut out from him.
