ABC Radio Host Red Symons Apologises On-Air For “Racist” Interview
ABC Radio host Red Symons has apologised for an interview he conducted with another employee of the government-funded broadcaster which he admitted to have come across as “racist”.
Symons aired his interview with ABC radio producer Beverley Wang last Monday during his breakfast program on ABC Radio Melbourne, in which he asked her “what’s the deal with Asians?” and if she was “yellow”.
The interview sparked outrage from listeners, who called on the ABC to apologise, remove the podcast of the interview and discipline Symons.
The ABC fulfilled the first two requests, and said it was undertaking a review of the editorial processes regarding the content and its use.
The radio host issued an apology on-air this morning, admitting that the interview “came across as racist”.
“Last week on the program I spoke to Beverley Wang about her new podcast, It’s Not A Race,” he said.
“The plan was to take on a serious topic – race and culture – and talk with Beverley about a range of related issues.
“I came across as racist and I was wrong in the way I conducted the interview.
“This is not who I am, but I acknowledge on this occasion I caused offence and hurt, not only to Beverley but also to our listeners.
“I offer my sincerest apologies. We need to talk about these issues, but be careful how we consider them.”
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