The ADC, Australia’s leading civil rights organisation countering hatred in all its forms, has expressed its disappointment at comments made by ABC presenter Red Symons during an interview with ABC Radio podcaster Beverley Wang, in which he asked the presenter if she was “yellow” and “What’s the deal with Asians?”. Later, Symons asked the Canadian born Ms. Wang if she was ” from China, and if “they” spoke “Mandarin or Cantonese”. The ABC pulled the interview then issued an apology for its content.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“While we all appreciate the value of humour and give comedians a lot of leeway, at a time of a surge in intolerance, public figures need to show sensitivity and be careful not to traffic in hurtful and demeaning stereotypes. Comedians need to ensure that their satire, which often pushes the envelope, does not cross the line with bigoted and tasteless jokes that call up classic ethnic slurs and which may generate laughter at the expense of minorities. The bottom line: racial jokes are never acceptable. We are glad that the ABC did the right thing by removing the podcast and apologizing.”
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.