Another protest hits Sunrise
A crowd of around 40 disrupt today's broadcast on the Gold Coast.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
Sunrise copped another protest this morning at the Gold Coast.
News Corp reports a crowd of at least 40 people gathered at the beach behind the presenters’ outdoor set, demonstrating the show’s decision last month to discuss Aboriginal adoption on a Sam Armytage-led Hot Topic segment.
Protesters chanted: “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land,” before adding, “Sam Armytage, we are still waiting on an apology.”
The hosts struggled to continue and be heard while the protesters chanted, according to reports.
Armytage and co-host David Koch eventually addressed the increasingly distracting situation just after 8am.
“We support and respect anyone being able to protest and get their view. Happy to have them here, and to express their view, but we have to be a bit careful with language and aggression,” Koch explained as the protest grew louder behind him.
“As regular viewers would know, we have lots of families and kids here. It’s school holidays in Queensland, it’s the Commonwealth Games, and while we respect everybody’s right to protest … there are a lot of families on holidays.”
“We have to be very careful with some of the language going to air. I do want to point out that the original segment that sparked this was that children are at risk, not about land rights … just keep that in mind,” Armytage added.
During an ad break, Koch turned around to the protesters and said: “Do your homework”.
Armytage also took a swipe at Nine when the rival network’s crews arrived to cover the story.
“Big clap for Channel Nine, it’s the only way they can get some ratings on TV,” she sniped when off-air.
Sunrise has previously revisited the discussion of Indigenous children at risk with members of the community in an extended segment, but it is yet to satisfy some aggrieved members of the community.
A Queensland Police spokesman said: “Queensland Police respect the rights of people protesting lawfully and peacefully in Queensland.”
Channel Seven declined to comment.
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16 Responses
Some of these protesters are probably aware that the segment that was supposed to be protested was in regards to child welfare in remote indigenous communities and not land rights. They are just using the Commonwealth Games as a reason to protest for the publicity.
Some of the comments leveled at Sam over the last few weeks have been blatantly racist, yet the outrage machine seems to pardon this. If the tables were turned, there would be national outrage. As for the lack of balance, this was remedied when Aboriginal leaders were invited onto the show to respond to the misguided comments. That should have been the end of it.
I just happened to catch some of this going to air when taking a quick break at work and then read the News Corp article. There is a right to protest but once you cross the line of hurling gutter language and potential harm to another human being you’ve lost the argument. Pity the hierarchy didn’t make the call earlier and switch back to the Sunrise Studio in Sydney. Then someone could have made the announcement to the protestors they’re no longer on air.
Worth noting the protest was also about land rights, beyond specific Sunrise issue.
They have too much free time!
When Sunrise first started broadcasting from the beach, I wondered how long it would be before a protest group of some kind would disrupt it. I’m surprised it took this long to be honest.
In my view, it is a shame the protesters felt the need to yell and shout, particularly using colourful language on breakfast television. I have no problem with turning up and waving around signs, but shouting was unnecessary.
If these protesters were in the workplace or on social media yelling out obscenities and put downs the media would say this is bullying and #standfordolly The left must be drooling today they would hate seeing Prince Charles welcomed so warmly by indigenous Australians up in Arnhem land I saw one indigenous lady crying saying she was named after the Queen. B
Why are they even there? Just go back to the studio.
I agree with this comment, its not like we see any of the Commonwealth Games going on in the background
I think that’s a bit harsh. Isn’t it just for network ‘morale’? Seven have the Comm Games and to start each day with the publicity can’t hurt. All networks do these things with breakfast shows / local news bulletins, send crews/presenters on location for a major event. Seven News Melbourne is an example with the Aus Open, AFL major games and finals/Grand Final and Melbourne Cup.
Felt so sorry for Sam, Kochi and gang this morning. They should not be subject to this type of bullying. This is their workplace. They have every right to protest but its the Pollies they need to see. They really hurt their cause this morning. Sam and Kochie handled the situation well.
They were protesting something that happened on sunrise (amongst other things)….. don’t really feel sorry for the presenters at all, we live in a free country…. that includes the beach behind a TV set.
Well then to apply your logic I feel sorry for the bullying Sam has been receiving since voicing her opinion a few weeks ago on morning tv- we live in a free world and she is allowed an opinion!
2 points of view here.
1. You have a right to voice your opinion but you also have a right to have your opinion challenged.
2. The protestors as the article states, were protesting land rights, that had nothing to do with the sunrise segment. Kochie is right, do your homework.
They were protesting land rights….. but also wanted an apology from Sam…. hence why I said “amongst other things”…..
Yes it was a bit of mob mentality and some of the language was uncalled for.
Armitage is free to have an opinion… but free speech doesn’t mean your free from consequence. Best thing she could do is say sorry and move on…. Koch yelling out “do your homework”, doesn’t help the situation at all.
Sam having an opinion is a risk where she is interviewer, especially when the three were in unison. The anger over lack of balance was understandable. It does feel now like their point is made however, and you can start to lose the public sympathy if you are not careful.