ABC Review Uncovers Racism Within the Broadcaster and External Attacks on Staff
Image generated by OpenAI's DALL·E tool, depicting a modern Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) building in Australia
VOCABULARY LIST
Broadcaster (noun) /ˈbrɔdkɑstə/: A person or organisation that transmits television or radio programs.
Example: The ABC is a national broadcaster in Australia.
Racial slurs (noun phrase) /ˈreɪʃəl slɜz/: Offensive or insulting language based on race.
Example: Some staff experienced racial slurs at work.
Passed up (phrasal verb) /pɑst ʌp/: To be overlooked or not chosen for something.
Example: He was passed up for promotion due to his background.
First Nations (noun) /fɜst ˈneɪʃənz/: The original inhabitants of a country, particularly used to describe Indigenous Australians.
Example: The report recommended a pay audit for First Nations staff.
Take action (phrasal verb) /teɪk ˈækʃən/: To do something to solve a problem.
Example: The ABC promised to take action against racism.
Workplace (noun) /ˈwɜkpleɪs/: A location where people are employed.
Example: The review found that racism exists within the ABC workplace.
Culturally safe (adjective phrase) /ˈkʌltʃərli seɪf/: An environment where people of different cultural backgrounds feel respected and protected.
Example: The ABC aims to create a culturally safe workplace for all staff.
Call out (phrasal verb) /kɔl aʊt/: To publicly identify and address a problem.
Example: The managing director called out the racist behaviour at the ABC.
Passed over (phrasal verb) /pɑst ˈoʊvə/: To be ignored or overlooked for something.
Example: She felt passed over for opportunities due to her cultural background.
Apologise (verb) /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/: To express regret for a mistake or wrongdoing.
Example: The managing director apologised to staff who experienced racism.
ARTICLE
A review has revealed that culturally diverse staff at the ABC, Australia’s national broadcaster, have faced racial slurs, been passed up for career opportunities, and even been mistaken for other people of the same background. This report, titled Listen Loudly, Act Strongly, was conducted after high-profile figures, such as Stan Grant, left the ABC, citing "institutional failure" to address racist abuse.
The review involved 120 current and former ABC employees. Only one participant said they had not experienced racism. The report found that racism exists both within the ABC workplace and from external organisations. Despite the ABC’s efforts to create a culturally safe environment, the implementation of those strategies has been inconsistent, with ongoing risks to staff wellbeing.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson has apologised to all current and former staff who experienced racism. He stated that more needs to be done to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace. Anderson also called out the behaviour, saying, "Racism cannot occur in any workplace."
Personal Experiences of Racism
The review documented several personal experiences, such as offensive comments about appearance and culture, exclusion from social and work events, and being passed over for opportunities because staff were hired to "meet diversity quotas." Many staff members reported feeling helpless and exhausted by their experiences. The review also found systemic racism in recruitment, pay, and employment conditions, particularly affecting First Nations and culturally diverse staff.
Recommendations for Change
The report made several recommendations, including:
Better support for staff targeted by external attacks.
More diversity in leadership roles.
Mandatory anti-racism training for managers.
Monitoring and reporting on complaints about racism and staff diversity.
One key recommendation was to conduct a pay audit for First Nations and culturally diverse staff to ensure fair wages. The ABC has pledged to take action on these recommendations and create a more inclusive workplace.
Broader Impact
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland acknowledged the ABC’s independence but stated that Australians expect the broadcaster to be a safe and inclusive place for all staff. Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi also emphasised the need for strong action. Former Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has been appointed to continue this work, while a new Director of First Nations Strategy has been tasked with implementing the report’s recommendations.
SOURCE:
This article is based on: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-01/abc-review-finds-racism-within-broadcaster-anderson-apology/104417476
