The Seven Network has officially responded to a furore surrounding presenter Georgia Love after she posted an Instagram story described as ‘casually racist’.
Love posted a story to Instagram of a cat inside a dumpling restaurant with the caption “shop attendant or lunch?!”.
The story was then reposted by popular Instagram page, ‘Aussie Influencer Opinions’, who wrote: “As well as ‘casual’ racism being totally not okay, did Georgia not take into consideration about how this could make her audience with an Asian background feel? Ugh.”
Love apologised for the story, writing that she “meant no insinuation about the type of animal nor the type of restaurant, but I do see that my post did not come across like that and was offensive”. However, the Aussie Influencer Opinion page then revealed Love had shared a similar post in 2013.
The post was a meme of a restaurant called China Chef next to an animal hospital, and a cartoon dog with the text “that’s suspicious…’” above it. Love had captioned the meme “Best”.
The Seven Network has now officially released a statement regarding Love’s conduct.
A spokesperson told B&T that, “we have addressed this matter internally and disciplinary action has been taken. Seven does not condone this inappropriate conduct and all of our staff have the right to work in a safe, nurturing workplace free from prejudice.”
Love was also called out by MasterChef host Melissa Leong, who wrote “casual racism from nice people is possibly the most betraying and insideous kind.”
B&T understands that Love has apologised to fellow Seven staff in an email, and is said to be deeply apologetic for her actions. An investigation did take place, as per due process, and Love has been taken off her on-air duties, and reassigned to the production desk for an unspecified period.
