Extraordinary moment ABC boss David Anderson and host take turns to deliver an Acknowledgement of Country in woke ‘car crash TV’ interview: ‘A minute and a half of box-ticking’
The ABC has been heavily criticized after its boss and a news presenter spent ‘a minute and a half’ making an acknowledgment to the country during a TV interview about a ‘car crash’.
ABC chief executive David Anderson was interviewed by ABC News senior cultural adviser Miriam Corowa about a review that found racism was endemic at the national broadcaster.
The interview began with Corowa acknowledging her own ancestors, the Bundjalung people of the NSW north coast, and using a greeting in the Bundjalung language before also acknowledging that the interview took place in Gadigal country.
In response, Anderson then opened with an acknowledgment of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation before paying his respects “to the elders past and present.”
2GB morning presenter Ben Fordham was amazed by the long prologue.
“It took a minute and a half of thank yous and box ticking before we could get to the actual interview,” he said Wednesday.
‘Before they could talk like normal people they had to jump through several hoops, so this is all part of the problem at the ABC.
“And what does the identity of the presenter have to do with the subject?”
The report, which was drawn up following Stan Grant’s shock resignation from the ABC over claims he was denied support while being the target of racist attacks, found racial discrimination, insults and stereotyping were rife within the organisation.
David Anderson opened the interview on the racism review with an acknowledgment of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation before paying his respects ‘to elders past and present’
The interview began with Corowa acknowledging her own ancestors, the Bundjalung people of the NSW north coast, before also acknowledging that the interview took place in Gadigal country.
Specific details included employees receiving comments about their racist appearance, stereotyping and being racially mistaken for someone else.
Mr Anderson issued a full apology to all former and current ABC employees on Tuesday.
“I have written to all staff today saying I am deeply sorry to anyone who has experienced racism at the ABC, whenever that is and whenever that has happened,” he told ABC News.
“It shouldn’t have happened, it shouldn’t have happened and I’m truly sorry for that experience.”
The ABC boss also warned staff.
“For anyone who thinks it is okay to display or practice racist behavior, or who thinks they can make people feel slighted based on their identity, we will call you and remove you from this organization.” , Anderson said.
The report, which was drawn up following Stan Grant’s shock dismissal from the ABC over claims he was denied support while being the target of racist attacks, found racial discrimination, insults and stereotyping were rife within the organisation.
‘You’re not welcome here. We are a workplace where respect is paramount, and we expect it.”
Fordham commented between playing clips from the interview, poking fun at how long it took for Corowa to ask Anderson a question.
“It was hard work – a minute and a half of preamble and identity politics before we could even get to the substance,” Fordham said.
“In 90 seconds it sums up how far removed they are from the real world.”
The 171-page report was led by Indigenous lawyer Terri Janke, a woman from Wuthathi, Yadhaighana and Meriam.
It received evidence from 120 past and present ABC employees, including Indigenous and CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) employees.
“People who are First Nations and CALD reported feeling unvalued in the workplace, and that is being symbolized,” said the report, titled Listen Loudly, Act Strongly.
“There is a cultural problem across the organization that has allowed racism to exist and persist at the ABC, which has caused widespread distrust in these systems among First Nations and CALD staff.”
Interviewees said ABC management shows “a lack of shared understanding of racism.”
The ABC said it will implement all 15 recommendations of the report, which it expects all staff to read.
Other measures include rolling out anti-racism training within the ABC, providing career development pathways and representation of culturally diverse staff at management level, and the creation of a First Nations Director of Strategy role.
The ABC will also strengthen its response to racist attacks on staff, including via social media, with a process where staff are urged to immediately report any such attack to a centralized and independent team.
Fordham also recently highlighted the story of a woman who revealed she was forced to participate in a Welcome to Country before every Pilates class.
Loren Barry, a producer at Triple M, said she did not understand why her practice sessions had to start with the ceremony.
“I’m all for Welcome to Country,” she said.
“But I think you’re welcome if you have the same people in class every day.”
2GB presenter Ben Fordham was stunned when he heard about her story, arguing they had ‘lost all meaning’.
“I’m convinced that organizations will drop this tradition in a few years because they have flogged it so hard that it has lost all meaning,” he said.