Protesters gather outside Sunrise studio after stolen generation comments
CHANNEL Seven has defended its decision to block vision of protesters demonstrating in the background of their Sunrise set.
Confidential
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CHANNEL Seven has defended its decision to block vision of protesters demonstrating in the background of their Sunrise set.
Hundreds of angry people packed Martin Place this morning, protesting Sunrise’s decision to debate about Aboriginal adoption in its Hot Topic segment.
Police controlled the crowd as protesters held signs which said “Sunlies” and held flags.
Loud screams we’re heard from blocks away today - one woman yelling that the debate should not have been among “white people.”
But viewers at home were not aware.
A Seven spokesperson said the station respects the right to protest “as much as we respect the right of free speech”.
“Some of the group were holding offensive signage, and some began banging on the window and mouthing obscenities,” the spokesperson said.
“To ensure regulatory compliance, and bearing in mind the potential for young children to be watching, the decision was made to utilise a generic backdrop.”
The controversial chat on the Channel 7 breakfast show came after children’s minister David Gillespie’s proposal white families should be able to adopt indigenous children to save them from rape, assault and neglect.
Currently, they are supposed to be placed with relatives or Aboriginal families where possible, and with families of other ethnicities if a suitable indigenous family is not found.
Sunrise host Samantha Armytage said on Monday’s segment: “Post-Stolen Generation, there’s been a huge move to leave Aboriginal children where they are, even if they’re being neglected in their own families.”
Gloria Quinlan, who travelled from Grafton to be at the protest, said that they needed to include an Aboriginal person on the panel.
She said they hoped the station would meet with them to hear their concerns about the lack of diversity and hurtful views.
“We want someone called in to speak to them on our behalf,” she said.
“My sisters are part of the stolen generation, they took all of my mum’s kids except for me.
“They need to invite an aboriginal leader onto the show, there was not one Indigenous person on there.”
The group said that Aboriginal children belonged with Aboriginal families.
Posters saying “Sunrise Hate Speech with y’coffee” and “Sunrise = ignorance” have been plastered on the television station’s Martin Place building.
When criticised on social media this week, Armytage defended herself, urging people to “watch the video before you comment”.
Watch the video before you comment, so you know what actually happened.
— Samantha Armytage (@sam_armytage) March 13, 2018
I hosted a segment based on a News Corp piece quoting the Fed Ass. Minister for Children.
Relying on a hysterical #Fairfax piece is irresponsible. https://t.co/ZZaZMgF9bP
