SBS reporter Scott McIntyre has been sacked after tweeting “highly inappropriate and disrespectful comments” about the Anzacs on Anzac Day. Do you think the broadcaster made the right call?
On Saturday evening, in the midst of Anzac Day commemorations, soccer reporter Scott McIntyre sent out five controversial tweets to his followers (he has more than 30,000 of them).
The cultification of an imperialist invasion of a foreign nation that Australia had no quarrel with is against all ideals of modern society.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Wonder if the poorly-read, largely white, nationalist drinkers and gamblers pause today to consider the horror that all mankind suffered.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Remembering the summary execution, widespread rape and theft committed by these ‘brave’ Anzacs in Egypt, Palestine and Japan.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Not forgetting that the largest single-day terrorist attacks in history were committed by this nation & their allies in Hiroshima & Nagasaki
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Innocent children, on the way to school, murdered. Their shadows seared into the concrete of Hiroshima. pic.twitter.com/DQOGXiKxEb
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid and Director of Sport Ken Shipp condemned McIntyre’s tweets, and said they constituted a sackable breach of the station’s Code of Conduct and social media policy.
“Respect for Australian audiences is paramount at SBS,” Mr Ebeid and Mr Shipp said in a statement.
“Late on Anzac Day, sports presenter Scott McIntyre made highly inappropriate and disrespectful comments via his twitter account which have caused his on-air position at SBS to become untenable.
“Mr McIntyre’s actions have breached the SBS Code of Conduct and social media policy and as a result, SBS has taken decisive action to terminate Mr McIntyre’s position at SBS, with immediate effect.
“At SBS, employees on and off air are encouraged to participate in social media, however maintaining the integrity of the network and audience trust is vital. It is unfortunate that on this very important occasion, Mr McIntyre’s comments have compromised both.
“SBS apologises for any offence or harm caused by Mr McIntyre’s comments which in no way reflect the views of the network. SBS supports our Anzacs and has devoted unprecedented resources to coverage of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.”
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull also labelled McIntyre’s comments “despicable” on Twitter.
McIntyre’s sentiments are somewhat similar to those expressed by actor Russell Crowe last year. While promoting his film, The Water Diviner, Crowe said, “I think we should be mature enough as a nation to take into account the story that the other blokes have to tell. You know, because we did invade a sovereign nation that we’d never had an angry word with. And I think it’s time it should be said.”
Crowe’s comments obviously didn’t alienate too many people — The Water Diviner, which was set in the aftermath of the Gallipoli campaign, went on to become the highest grossing Australian film of the year.
Do you think McIntyre’s comments on Twitter made his on-air position at SBS untenable? Do you agree with the network’s decision to let him go, or would you like him to be reinstated? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments below!
UPDATE: This poll has closed, and the results are in – the majority of you don’t think Scott should have got the sack. 28.31 per cent of you said he shouldn’t have been sacked, even though you disagreed with his comments, because he has the right to make them; and 32.9 per cent of went even further and said he shouldn’t have been sacked because his comments were spot on. 38.27 per cent of you said he should have been sacked because his comments were inappropriate and disrespectful. Meanwhile, 0.53 per cent of you just weren’t sure.
Wonder what he would have said if the Japanese had have invaded Australia??? in World War 2 but then he wouldn’t have been round if they had….
Regardless of his own personal views, as an employee of a broadcaster which provides shows for multiple cultural groups… and your basic Aussie, he needs to be aware his opinions will be so very public. Discretion and timing; missing.
While he is entitled to his views, he still needs to use the scrambled eggs between his ears to associate the facts that his’modern society’ just didn’t exist then it was a totally different world. As Thelma comments, would he be here if the actions of our forebears had not enabled today’s Australia where, unfortunately, too many people think that they can make any and all comments on Facebook and Twitter for all the world to see, bull dust or vidictiveness included claiming to be ‘fact’
He deserved to be sacked for sheer stupidity and insensitivity. A centenary of any historical event is particularly significant, and one where people who lost loved ones are still alive to remember deserves respect. In a period of time where we are so afraid of ISIS and possible death coming to any Australian who happens to be around when a Jihadist decides to randomly behead someone, we are standing up against violence and senseless killing. The way Australians have taken to commemorating Anzac Day reflects this same message. We are not glorifying war; we are giving thanks for our freedoms, and for the people who fought to preserve them for us.
As a democratic country, journalists should have the freedom of speech. Sbs should not act against freedom of speech.
Agree with his comments and agree with SBS action. Would he have been sacked from NITV? This so called “freedom of expression” espoused is truly conditional.
Well done, Scott McIntyre. The West has been on the wrong side of every war of the past 100 years, which, in every case were started BY THE WEST with False Flag events! The Aussies should not have involved themselves in WWI, should have been nowhere near Gallipoli, and should not be in Iraq or Afghanistan now!
Well done, Scott.