The ABC has been accused of racism after a report said Indigenous people are likely to be ‘stereotypical smokers’, just weeks after the broadcaster hired ‘cultural consultants’ in a bid to help staff get ‘culturally sensitive stories’ right to treat.
The broadcaster apologized for any offense caused after a story published on its website last week contained the findings of the recent Australian National University smoking study.
The article highlighted the problem of smoking among many people, some of whom are indigenous.
The story sparked outrage and came just days after former ABC TV presenter and journalist Miriam Corowa – a Minyangbal and Bundjalung woman – was appointed senior cultural advisor for the news department.
In its opening lines, the article urged readers to imagine a typical smoker.
The ABC has been accused of racism after a report on smoking named Indigenous people among the negative descriptors of a ‘stereotypical smoker’
“If you were asked to imagine a typical smoker, you might come up with the following stereotypes: someone who is unemployed, uneducated, indigenous and with poor mental health,” the article said.
Outraged readers denounced the opening line, with many blaming the ABC for allowing its publication.
Malyangapa Barkindji woman and journalist Jennetta Quinn-Bates expressed her disbelief after sharing a screenshot of the opening paragraph.
‘WHAT. IS. THIS?’ Mrs. Quinn-Bates wrote.
Ms Quinn-Bates listed other media organizations that she claimed are ‘the worst at stereotyping Aboriginal people’, then wrote ‘ABC: Hold my beer…’.
Gomeroi man Scott Trindall also slammed the article for contributing to “unconscious bias” and branded the authors “racist”.
Other online readers were equally outraged as they called out the ABC.
‘This is how stereotypes are perpetuated. Unacceptable,” one person wrote.
“Who the hell made them publish this,” another commented.
“Oh wow, ABC is really trying to give the competition an edge on stereotypes here,” said a third.
A fourth added: ‘Who even let that through? Where are the editors?’
Malyangapa Barkindji woman and journalist Jennetta Quinn-Bates (pictured) expressed her disbelief after sharing a screenshot of the article’s opening paragraph
Shortly after the story was published on the ABC website, the article was edited and “Indigenous” was removed from the list of negative stereotypes.
The revised sentence read: “If you are asked to imagine a typical smoker, you may not imagine someone who works, is educated, or has good mental health,” the amended sentence said.
An editor’s note outlining the change has been added at the bottom of the article, along with an apology from the ABC.
“An earlier version of this story referred to Indigenous people in the first paragraph. That reference has now been removed and we apologize for any violations,” the editors said.
This month, former ABC TV presenter and journalist Miriam Corowa – a Minyangbal and Bundjalung woman – was appointed as senior cultural advisor for the news department
The Australian Media Journal pointed out that the ABC has not yet listed the change on its ‘corrections and clarifications’ page.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.
The article quoted ANU medical student Jessica Awand, who claimed the Australian National University study debunked common myths and stereotypes associated with smoking.
‘Although smoking is more common among people who experience structural disadvantage – such as people in more remote areas, indigenous peoples, people with lower education and people living in poverty – most people who smoke are educated, employed and have good mental health, comparable to the entire population of Australia,” Ms Awand said.