ABC Managing Director issues apology after STAN GRANT exit

The ABC has declared a commitment to re-evaluate its stance on handling racism impacting staff in the wake of Stan Grant’s decision to step away from presenting the Q+A current affairs program.

The move comes after Stan Grant publicly criticised ABC for the perceived lack of support in dealing with racial abuse aimed at him.

ABC’s Managing Director, David Anderson, voiced his dismay over the experienced presenter being subjected to such abhorrent behaviour. He extended an apology to Grant in a Sunday afternoon staff email and reaffirmed his backing for the presenter.

“Stan has always had our unwavering support. His contributions to national discussions are of immeasurable value,” Anderson emphasised.

Grant’s feeling of being unsupported in the public domain was a serious matter, Anderson conceded.

“Stan Grant has expressed his sense of public isolation, and for this, I extend my apology. The ABC always strives to back its staff when they face any external abuse,” he stated.

Stan Grant revealed the scale of the abuse in his Friday ABC column, citing it as the main reason for his departure from Q+A. The vitriol increased after his appearance on ABC’s coverage of King Charles III’s coronation, fueled by misleading media portrayals.

The experienced presenter wrote,

“The racist tirades I face regularly, although I strive to ignore, poison my environment. I’ve now reached my limit. I will host Q+A on Monday night and then take my leave.”

He further stated his disappointment at the absence of any public denouncement of the falsehoods circulated about him by an ABC executive.

“I don’t blame any individual, but this reflects an institutional failing,” Grant pointed out.

An edited version of David Anderson’s message to staff can be read below.

Dear Colleagues,

The experiences of ABC presenter and commentator Stan Grant following our coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III have been distressing and confronting for the ABC, as they should be for the entire media industry and the broader community.

Racism must never be tolerated, and I am dismayed that Stan has been exposed to such sickening behaviour.  

Stan has our full support. And he has always had our full support. Stan makes an enormous contribution to conversations of national importance.

The role of the ABC includes providing content and programs that contribute to a sense of national identity, inform and entertain, reflect Australia’s cultural diversity and represent the diversity of perspectives held across the community.

Sometimes this means facilitating conversations that can be uncomfortable, challenging and even confronting. If we did not do this, we would not be doing our job. This can sometimes result in strong reactions. Unfortunately, it is increasingly drawing unacceptable abuse, particularly online and through social media.

The ABC is never above scrutiny or criticism. However, the nature of the anti-ABC reporting from some commercial media outlets is sustained and vitriolic. This has real-world consequences for ABC presenters and journalists who are personally attacked and vilified.

How the ABC supports people in these moments is important. Stan Grant has stated that he has not felt publicly supported. For this, I apologise to Stan. The ABC endeavours to support its staff in the unfortunate moments when there is external abuse directed at them.

The Chair and Deputy Chair of the ABC’s Bonner Committee have asked me to conduct a review to investigate and make recommendations about ABC responses to racism affecting ABC staff, and what we can do better to support staff who face it. I have accepted this recommendation and I will provide more details later this week when we have them.

This review will build on our work as the first media organisation to have an Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan. The next version of this will be released in the coming months, as will our new Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Plan.

As an organisation we must continue to collectively stand against any such behaviour should it occur within our own ranks and support colleagues suffering from unacceptable external abuse.  

The ABC has zero tolerance for racism in the workplace, as well as bullying, harassment, discrimination or any antisocial behaviour. We are all required to complete training to understand our responsibilities under the Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Policy.

All ABC employees deserve to feel welcomed, included, supported and safe in our workplace. Any such behaviour must be investigated, and actions taken when warranted.

We will continue to work with our First Nations staff, and other colleagues, to ensure the ABC is a safe and supportive workplace.

And please remember support is always available via the Employee Assistance Program, which is a free and confidential service for all ABC employees and their families. 

Regards,

David