ABC’s Dan Bourchier says he was targeted with death threats and ‘constant belittling’

ABC star Dan Bourchier says he, like his mentor Stan Grant, has faced abuse, death threats and “constant belittling.”

Grant, a Wiradjuri man, stood next to hosting Q&A and his other duties at the broadcaster this week after speaking out against the ABC for their lack of public support despite being subjected to racial abuse.

Bourchier, who is the ABC’s referendum correspondent, appeared on ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday, where he said with tears in his eyes that Grant’s statement had reminded him of things he was dealing with himself.

“The abuse, the death threats, the constant belittling and belittling of what your perspective is, that’s what’s happening from some in the community,” he said.

“It also raised a lot of questions about what’s happening inside the ABC, and there’s been a lot of reporting on that.

“I have to say that didn’t surprise me much because it’s what I hear and part of it (racism) is what I experienced myself.”

Bourchier is of Aboriginal descent and grew up in Tennant Creek, a rural town in the Northern Territory.

This week, during Senate estimates, the ABC news chief said he was sorry not publicly defend Grant over the widespread criticism and racial abuse he received following his appearance on a discussion panel the night of King Charles III’s coronation.

Justin Stevens said there were “lessons in it in terms of how Stand felt we’d pulled it off”.

He also urged media organizations to be kinder to each other.

The ABC has begun an internal review of the broadcaster’s system to address racism.

Bourchier said this was something he had asked for himself, saying it should be “independent and transparent and look at understanding what is happening and why.”

He said the issue went beyond the ABC, but was something for today’s media in Australia to “think very deeply about”.

ABC host Stan Grant has resigned following the backlash over coverage of the coronation

“I don’t think we should point the finger, (but) I do think we should hold up a mirror and ask ourselves, ‘what are we doing and what have we said or not said to support or help people? Close? down when there is misinformation or targeted abuse that Stan and his family have perpetuated for many, many years,” Bourchier said.

“It’s definitely increased lately… The fact that someone can be yelled off a primetime program and shut down and made to feel like they can’t go on should set some serious alarm bells ringing.”

Bourchier admitted he was hesitant to participate in ABC’s flagship Sunday program, fearing he would be branded a “diversity voter” and detailed racial slurs that he taunted every time he appeared on the bench.

“Why should I submit myself, and even harder, why should I criticize my partner and our family so much,” he said.