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Ita: ‘If I’d known earlier, I would have spoken to Stan’

ABC Chair confirms she was not told about Stan Grant copping social media abuse "until fairly late in the piece."

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Ita Buttrose has called for a return to civil debate and described social media abuse of Stan Grant as “unacceptable.”

The ABC Chair also called on ABC management to support staff who were being subjected to abuse, but says she was not told of Grant’s situation “until fairly late in the piece.”

“Our audience researcher show us that 75% of people think that our content reflects the diversity of Australia. I think what management needs to do is make sure that we support the people who make that content when they are subjected to racist behaviour. It’s unacceptable and I’m appalled at what Stan went through. If I’d known earlier, I would have spoken to him about it. But I didn’t know and I don’t think many of us knew until fairly late in the piece,” she said.

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne today she said, “I think there’s been a lesson for the entire community by Stan stepping back, I think the strong public reaction has led to what I would call one of the most widespread outpourings of public commentary on public life, that we’ve seen for a long time.

“People are sick of the abusive and toxic culture that pervades our public discourse, whether it’s poor social issues, politics… we’re sadly living in a time actually, when people think it’s okay to abuse others with whom they disagree.

“We can’t have a proper discussion in Australia anymore. I think Australians want a return to civility in public life and I think as a community we need to reflect on the abhorrent and unacceptable behaviour that crops up on social media, and lead the way to return to civility in public debate.”

Buttrose told ABC Radio that many emails she had received indicated wide support for the Q+A host.

“We are providing Stan with as much support as we possibly can -and to his family- and we hope that he will return to our program as soon as he feels ready to return. It’s up to Stan. I think he’s taken eight weeks off and I understand that. But I hold Stan in high regard, like so many of our listeners do.”

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2 Responses

  1. Sorry Ita….but ABC hierarchy should be more on top of these issues….not just brushing over them in blissful ignorance until someone cracks…😞

  2. Totally agree with the sentiments…..the majority of people on social media, internet sites including YouTube which a lot of people can’t comprehend what the community guidelines even mean need to stop using the sites as a tool for abuse…it was supposed to connect people socially…not condemn and use as of a means of abusing people…people need to be held accountable for what they post and I believe the companies who run them should be the first to take responsibility and put measures in place to stop people posting toxic comments by being more vigilant and banning those who post hateful comments ….it’s a reflection on those who post the comments and proof of their intolerance…..have we as a society learnt nothing from the past from those who suffered discrimination, racism, ageism, gender identity and condemn for their religious beliefs……..apparently not.

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