The ABC has tasked one of its senior journalists with investigating how to create “culturally safe newsrooms” as the public broadcaster reels from allegations of racism levelled by Antoinette Lattouf, who was removed from air last month.

In a lengthy email to staff, the public broadcaster’s news chief, Justin Stevens, urged the newsroom to “pull together” and “stay united” after weeks of acrimony about whether senior managers were protecting ABC staff from accusations of bias.