Sadness at Grant exit
Veteran presenter walks away because of racism
Colleagues of ABC host Stan Grant have reacted with anger and disappointment after the veteran presenter announced he had chosen to “walk away” from his job due to the “racism” he had experienced.
Grant’s resignation comes less than a year after being made the permanent host of the network’s current affairs talk show Q+A. He has decided not to return after Monday evening’s program.
Grant, a Wiradjuri, Gurrawin and Dharawal man, said he was standing down due to the racial abuse – and lack of public support – he received after he criticised the monarchy during the ABC’s coverage of the King’s coronation earlier this month.
“This year, the stakes are higher. There is a referendum on an indigenous Voice to parliament, and I am not alone in feeling judged. This is an Australian judgment of us. Such is politics,” he explained.
“But racism is a crime. Racism is violence. And I have had enough.”
Grant’s announcement shocked the media world with many people taking to social media to share their thoughts on his exit.
7.30’s host Sarah Ferguson was one of the first to respond saying Grant was an “admired colleague”.
“The abuse directed at him is disgusting. There are no words adequate to the horror we feel at this. Stan is brilliant and cherished,” she wrote.
Journalist Tracey Spicer also immediately weighed in.
“Stan Grant has written an eloquent, devastating and moving piece about the appalling racial abuse on social media. And now, he’s walking away. This is always the aim of the bigots: To silence powerful voices. Side note: Shame on the ABC for not backing him up,” she wrote.
Journalist Sean Kelly wrote: “I want to find a place of grace far from the stench of the media. I want to go where I am not reminded of the social media sewer. Stan Grant is an Australian icon, a serious journalist, a leader in this country. This is a sad and disgraceful result.”
Media professional Paul Austin tweeted: “Australia, 2023. How sad.”
Author Van Badham tweeted: “Stan Grant is stepping down from #qanda due to racial abuse on social media. It is outrageous he was ever subjected to it; he has my solidarity. To lose someone of Grant’s stature & experience from the national broadcaster is a loss to US ALL.”
ABC’s director of news Justin Stevens released a lengthy statement on the matter.
“Over many months, but particularly in recent days, Stan Grant has been subject to grotesque racist abuse, including threats to his safety,” he wrote.
“This has become particularly virulent since he appeared as part of the ABC’s Coronation coverage. It is abhorrent and unacceptable.”
Stevens said Grant was one of a range of panellists who appeared during the Coronation coverage “at the invitation of the ABC”.
“He was not the instigator of the program. He was asked to participate as a Wiradjuri man to discuss his own family’s experience and the role of the monarchy in Australia in the context of Indigenous history,” he said.
“It is part of the ABC’s role to facilitate such important conversations, however confronting and uncomfortable, and to reflect the diversity of perspectives.
“The timing of this important discussion in the lead-up to the event has resulted in a strong response from some viewers. This is regrettable.”
There were more than 1000 complaints about the coverage.
Stevens went on to praise Grant as “one of Australia’s best and most respected journalists and broadcasters”.
“The ABC stands by him and condemns the attacks directed towards him,” he said.
He also made it clear that any racial threats towards Grant would be taking seriously and sent to the police.
“Any complaints, criticism – or vitriol – regarding the coverage should be directed to me, not to him,” he said.