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ABC presenter apologises for ANZAC Day comment

Updated: ABC says personal views of Australia Wide presenter do not represent those of the broadcaster.

Australia Wide presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied has apologised for a social media comment posted on ANZAC Day which has landed her in hot water.

The ABC News presenter wrote “LEST. WE. FORGET. (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine …)” on Facebook before amending it to “Lest we forget”.

“It was brought to my attention that my last post was disrespectful, and for that, I apologise unreservedly,” she explained.

But it drew further criticism on social media and from politicians Eric Abetz & Peter Dutton.

“It is a disgrace that on our most significant national day to mark the passing of people who have defended this country, this advocate seeks to make political mileage,” Dutton said.

2 years ago SBS sacked Scott McIntyre for disrespectful tweets made on ANZAC Day, but for which he did not apologise. A settlement was reached a year later after McIntyre instigated legal action.

Earlier this year Yassmin Abdel-Magied was the subject of a petition calling for ABC to sack her after her defence of Sharia Law on Q&A.

Australia Wide airs on weekends on ABC News.

Updated ABC statement:

Yassmin Abdel-Magied published on ANZAC Day a post on her Facebook page that she subsequently retracted, apologised for and deleted. 

Ms Abdel-Magied acknowledged that the timing and nature of the post was disrespectful. Her decision to delete it and apologise was appropriate.

Ms Abdel-Magied is a part-time presenter on the ABC program Australia Wide, introducing stories done by ABC reporters from around the country. When presenting for the ABC she works in accordance with ABC editorial and other policies.

Ms Abdel-Magied is also engaged in a range of other activities and work that is not related to the ABC. Her views and opinions in that capacity are her own and do not represent those of the ABC.

14 Responses

  1. Hands up who remembers the play “The One Day of the Year” by Alan Seymour? It depicted the son of an ex-serviceman criticising ANZAC Day and arguing it glorified war. Written in 1958. Later became one of out best ever sitcoms The Last of the Australians.

  2. I’d imagine Dutton’s recent attempt “to make political mileage” from events on Manus are part of the reason she felt compelled to make these comments.
    And now he’s trying to deflect.

  3. I think she should be sacked. To all the whining lefties….would you like PHanson to be a paid part time presenter on the ABC….no?….neither would I. Sure Yassmin can express her views, but I don’t think taxpayers money should subsidise her.

  4. I don’t think the ABC will be removing Yassmin, I assume they see her as the young alternative voice of moderation, though making such comments made on ANZAC day is not helping matters any regarding sensitive public opinion on Islam, no matter how unjust the detention centres are.

      1. Regardless of what the Daily Telegraph &/or Herald Sun (or ALTCON, or whoever) may say, the “evidence” they claim establishes a “link” seems to be a bit of a stretch at best. By that criteria, it would seem Peter Dutton has “links” to them too…

  5. It’s a bit rich from The Government, Hanson supporters and the Right Wingers who want and are actively campaigning to abolish 18C the right to Offend, then complain about the tweets from Yassim. I thought the Champions of the Right wanted “Freedom of Speech”? They should be applauding her, not shooting her down!!!!!

    Basically the Far Right are saying, I want the right to offend you!!! But you should not have the right to offend Me!!!

    Personally I disagree with Yasmin timing of the tweet.

    1. Actually no one is taking her to the Human Rights Commission to take away her right to say what she wanted. They are criticising her timing and her sentiments.

  6. ““It is a disgrace that on our most significant national day to mark the passing of people who have defended this country, this advocate seeks to make political mileage,” Dutton said.”

    Or is he just disappointed he didn’t get to make completely coincidental flying visits to Iraq & Afghanistan that just happened to end up on last night’s news?

    (Yes, I know, both side have done it…)

    Sure she might’ve been making political mileage out of ANZAC day. Just like they seem to be doing now…

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