ABC managing director David Anderson has apologised to ABC staff who experienced racism at the public broadcaster after “disturbing” details of their treatment were revealed by an review into racism.
Anderson has committed the ABC to accept in principle all 15 recommendations made in the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly review, led by Indigenous lawyer Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaighana and Meriam woman.
“On behalf of everyone at the ABC, I am sorry for any and all racist behaviour and past harms experienced by our Indigenous and CALD employees, either currently or formerly employed,” Anderson said.
“We all need to do better for our colleagues on our commitment to zero tolerance for racism in our workplace.
“We all need to do better for our colleagues by preventing or acting on behaviour that seeks to discriminate against, bully or demean them.
“We all need to do better for our colleagues by remaining vigilant against racism or discrimination of any kind in our workplace.”
Janke’s team spoke to 120 participants comprising current and former ABC staff to hear their experiences of racism at work.
Only one participant said they had not personally experienced racism within the ABC.
The review was sparked by the treatment of Stan Grant who faced racist attacks on social media fuelled by a “relentless campaign” against the ABC’s coronation broadcast from News Corp.
Grant targeted ABC management itself for a lack of support and accused the rightwing media of telling lies and distorting his words about the coronation.
News director Justin Stevens said last year he regrets not defending Grant earlier.
