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“I need a break from the media”: standing ovation for Q+A’s Stan Grant

"I'm not walking away because of racism," says Stan Grant. "I feel like I'm part of the problem and I need to ask myself how or if we can do it better."

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ABC host Stan Grant made a closing statement last night as he departed Q+A, fighting back tears and receiving a standing ovation from both audience and a panel of first-time politicians.

His statement followed days of headlines and discussions around his decision to stand aside from the show, fuelled by ongoing racial abuse and media criticism.

“Many of you would know by now that I’m stepping away for a little while,” he said. “Sometimes we need to just take time out. Sometimes our souls are hurting and so it is for me. I’ve had to learn that endurance is not always strength, sometimes strength is knowing when to say stop. And to those who have sent messages of support, thank you so much. But I’ll be okay. Please send that support and care to those of my people, and all people who feel abandoned and alone. Who are wondering whether they have a place in this country and who don’t have my privileges.

“To those who have abused me and my family, I would just say if your aim was to hurt me, well you’ve succeeded. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I must have given you so much cause to hate me so much, to target me and my family. To make threats against me. I’m sorry, and that’s what Yindyamarra means. It means that I’m not just responsible for what I do, but for what you do. It’s not just a word, it is sacred. It is what it means to be Wiradjuri, it is the core of my being.”

He continued, “I am down right now. I am. But I’ll get back up and you can come at me again. and I’ll meet you with the love of my people. My people can teach the world to love. As Martin Luther King Jr. said of his struggle, ‘We will wear you down with our capacity to love.’ Don’t mistake our love for weakness, it is our strength. We have never stopped loving and fighting for justice and truth. The hard truths to speak in our land.”

Yet Grant also directed his comments to media outlets.

“We in the media must ask if we are truly honouring a world worth living in? Too often we are the poison in the bloodstream of our society. I fear the media does not have the love or the language to speak to the gentle spirits of our land,” he said.

“I’m not walking away for a while because of racism. We get that far too often. I’m not walking away because of social media hatred. I need a break from the media. I feel like I’m part of the problem and I need to ask myself how or if we can do it better.”

His departure follows an apology from Managing Director David Anderson, News Director Justin Stevens conceding he should have made a statement supporting the Q+A host earlier and staff gatherings of support around the country yesterday.

However Media Watch last night also asked whether his role at the ABC could have been better handled?

“Grant has been a prominent broadcast and print journalist in Australia and overseas for decades, he’s also frequently called on to be a commentator on world affairs and Indigenous issues,” guest host John Barron asked.

“But why, as many critics ask, does the ABC allow Stan to combine opinion, some would argue activism, with his duties as a high profile ABC host?

“Or as the original Media Watch team of Stuart Littlemore and David Salter wrote in the Herald:

The problem is the immediate – and immediately obvious – consequence of journalists and their opinions.
– The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 May, 2023

“So, does it matter that Stan Grant has been supportive of The Uluru Statement, or a reckoning with the monarchy in his latest book, while also hosting a program such as Q+A which also discusses those issues?

“ABC Management points out Grant has never been found to be in breach of its impartiality guidelines.

“But that ignores the fact that for many ABC viewers, any opinion expressed by its hosts, even if it’s based on personal identity and experience as Stan’s often is, can be a turn off.

“The ABC’s managing director says there will now be a review of how the organisation responds to racism affecting its staff.

“And that’s critical because Stan’s role and identity has left him exposed and feeling unsupported.

“But perhaps the ABC should also review the way it encourages some of its star journalists to walk the impossible line between news, analysis and opinion, and whether that is in line with public expectations.

“We wish Stan all the best for the months ahead.”

Patricia Karvelas will host Q+A next week ahead of the show taking a mid season break.

10 Responses

  1. I’ve been watching the commentary on SG for a couple of weeks, reticent to post an opinion of my own. There have been times where I have agreed and not agreed with his opinion on countless matters, but I maintain his right to hold and express an opinion that may be contrarian to others.

    I understand why the ABC had him front and centre in their coronation coverage, but it was remarkably tone deaf and not the forum to foment the debate SG wanted to have. For many Australians this will likely be the first and only time they get to see an event like this.

    The vitriol that has come after sickened me just a bit. Nobody deserves that.

  2. I forgot to watch Media Watch. It never occurred to me to watch it. I wish I had now. But.. Having said that, I wish to join in with thanking you David, for reporting Stan Grant having a break re whats happened.

  3. Ive been a fan of his from his days of hosting Today Tonight on channel 7. He is one of my fave male hosts/presenters/interviewers. I could listen to him all day/night. He has s soothing and calming voice and persona,. I didnt hear what was being said prior to his having a break. Im not on social media per se. Im very sad he has been through this. But also for the why. I saw his last ep for a while on Monday. The first question was to him and re it. He comes across to me as a very dignified and classy man. i saw the standing ovation he received at the end, and had a feeling it would happen. And so he should receive it. Look forward to seeing you in 8 weeks. You are my fave Q&A host. Have a very relaxing break. You Deserve it. Thank you for all you do and have done.

  4. I have been a great admirer of this man from when he was a very young man….not the first trauma he has had to endure…I pray he will rise above this one…Kindest regards Stan Grant.

  5. I’m not a fan of his interview style, but I thought that speech at the end of the show was classy, dignified and very heartfelt. No one deserves abuse (racial or otherwise) for doing their job. And certainly not targeting family. That’s not on. I do wish him and his family well, and I hope he can continue whatever he chooses without anymore abuse.

  6. Stan’s speech at the end of Q&A last night was delivered with pure strength, dignity and class. The most powerful television moment I have ever witnessed.

  7. I really thought Stan’s speech last night was dignified and well said. It came from the heart. I truely hope we see Stan back on the TV when he has become strong again.

  8. I’ve worked alongside media personalities like Stan in the early days of social media, and they were told to avoid it!.
    Not so sure that’s possible these days.

    1. Like Stan said last night, he reads none of it but people in the street stop him and tell him how bad it is so very hard to avoid. I read a few of the comments about Stan on social media and was gobsmacked at how toxic it all was. I don’t think Stan is perfect but there is no need for that sort of thing.

  9. Stan Grant spoke with great dignity at the end of last night’s Q&A. Although he justifiably feels wounded and in pain, he is still strong and an example for us all. When Stan has had time to heal, I look forward to again reading, hearing and seeing his contribution to Australian society.

    I watched both Media Watch and Q&A last night. Thank you for reporting the two programs here together on TV Tonight.

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