ABC managing director David Anderson has been forced to issue an abject apology after a scathing report found racism was endemic at the national broadcaster.
The report, which was commissioned in the wake of Stan Grants shock resignation from the ABC over claims he was unsupported while the target of racist attacks, found racial discrimination, slurs and stereotyping were rife at the organisation.
Specific details included staff receiving comments about their racial appearance, stereotyping and being mistaken for someone else in a racist manner.
Mr Anderson issued a full apology to all ABC employees past and present on Tuesday.
I have today written to all staff and I have expressed that I am deeply sorry to anybody who experienced racism at the ABC for whenever that is and whenever that has happened, he told ABC News.
It shouldn’t have happened, it shouldn’t happen and I am sincerely sorry for that experience.
The ABC boss also issued an warning to staff.
For anyone who thinks it is OK to display or practice racist behaviour, or who thinks they can make people feel belittled based on their identity, we will call you out and remove you from this organisation, Mr Anderson said.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson has issued an apology to ABC staff, past and present after a report found racism was endemic at the national broadcaster
You are not welcome here. We are a workplace that values respect, and we expect it.
The 171-page report was led by Indigenous lawyer Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaighana and Meriam woman.
It received evidence from 120 past and present ABC staff including Indigenous and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) employees.
People who are First Nations and CALD expressed not feeling valued in the workplace, and tokenised, the report, titled Listen Loudly, Act Strongly, stated.
There is a cultural issue throughout the organisation that allows racism to exist and persist at the ABC, which has caused widespread distrust in these systems among First Nations and CALD staff.
Stan Grant (pictured with wife Tracy Holmes) sensationally quit as host of ABC flagship show Q+A last year after he claimed the national broadcaster had not supported him when he was subject to racial attacks online
Interviewees said ABC management show lack of shared understanding of racism.
The ABC said it will implement all 15 recommendations of the report, which it expects all staff to read.
Other measures include rolling out anti-racism training across the ABC, providing pathways for career progression and representation of culturally diverse staff at management level and the creation of a First Nations Director of Strategy role.
The ABC will also bolster its response to racist attacks on staff, including from social media, with a process where staff members are urged to immediately report such an attack to a centralised and independent team.
Anti-racism training will be rolled out across the ABC as one of the 15 recommendations of a scathing report into the broadcasters culture
Last year Grant, who is a Wiradjuri, Dharawal and Gurrawin man, accused ABC management of not supporting him when he was racially abused over taking part in a broadcast panel discussing colonialism ahead of King Charles Coronation.
Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me, Grant said as he quit his role hosting Q+A.
I dont hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure.