IFJ condemns racial abuse of indigenous, minority media workers in Australia

The International Federation of Journalists IFJ on Tuesday said that it stands with its Australian affiliate the Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance MEAA in condemning the systemic racism and discrimination against Indigenous and minority media workers in AustraliaThe statement comes in the light of veteran journalist Stan Grant stepping down from his role as a program host and columnist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC after no action was taken by the media outlet against sustained online racial abuse aimed at the journalist and his familyldquoGrant is an Indigenous Australian journalist and Wiradjuri man who has worked in Australian and international radio television and online news for more than 30 years The journalist announced he would be stepping away from his media commitments on May 19 releasing a final column announcing his departure as host for ABC current affairs program QA and as a regular columnist for ABC News onlinerdquo IFJ statement saidThe move comes after what Grant detailed as vitriolic racism and threats to his safety following his appearance as a panellist during ABCrsquos coverage of the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 where he appeared on invitation from the ABC to speak as a journalist and a Wiradjuri man on the history of the invasion and theft of First Nationsrsquo land at the hands of the British empire and monarchy Grant has long suffered racial abuse and mockery online with the ABC lodging an official complaint with Twitter earlier in 2023 but Grant cited the lack of action taken by the ABC in response to the intensified backlash against his remarks on the coronation as an ldquoinstitutional failurerdquo and the reason for his move away from the medialdquoI take time out because we have shown again that our First Nations history mdash our hard truth mdash is too big too fragile too precious for the media The media sees only battle lines not bridges It sees only politicsrdquo Grant saidABC director of news Justin Stevens published a statement the same day as Grantrsquos final column condemning the ldquogrotesque and racist abuserdquo and said the ABC would continue to report all online threats to the police Stevens said he took responsibility for the coverage and called for all criticism to be directed to him and ABC News management while also decrying ldquounfair inaccurate and irresponsiblerdquo reporting on Grantrsquos comments from other Australian media organisationsAlso readPolice in China detain investigative journalist Shangguan Yunkai for reportage on corruption across central Hubei provinceOn May 22 a large number of ABC staff and MEAA members gathered outside ABC Sydney headquarters and other offices across the country in support of the presenter Stevens and Lowanna Grant a National Indigenous Television NITV journalist and Grantrsquos daughter among others spoke at the rally rejecting racism at the national broadcaster and calling on ABC to take a strong stand on the issueldquoA continuing escalation of racially motivated threats and attacks on journalists is a critical concern for the IFJ amid the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation and increasing social and political polarisation and intolerance across the region IFJ has called for strong action to address online abuse and trolling against media workers and to fight against all forms of hate speech and discriminationrdquoMEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said ldquoThe racist targeting of Stan Grant is a blight on the nation and cause for reflection on how media workers are supported to carry out their vital work Stan Grant is an eminent journalist We must take this terrible moment to properly grasp what we are facing and to ensure that the workers who tell our stories can continue to perform their vital public service free from abuse and dangerrdquoThe IFJ said ldquoThe IFJ supports equality and diversity not only in content but also in the media workers who present the news in the public interest But for that to be possible there must also be tolerance and respect both inside the media and out The IFJ stands with MEAA in calling for swift and strong action by the ABC as well as the Australian authorities to prevent further abuse of journalists based on race religion gender disability and other forms of identityrdquo