Nine forced to edit ‘whitewashed’ Covid ad after backlash

After attracting criticism for its all white cast, Nine has released an edited version of its Covid ad.

Nine Entertainment has made a hasty edit to their Covid-19 vaccine advertisement to include people of colour, after being blasted for the video being “whitewashed”.

The advertisement urged Australians to get the Covid-19 vaccine and featured The Block’s Scott Cam, Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic, and Eddie McGuire.

It was first shown on Sunday night and by Monday morning waves of criticism had engulfed the network about the lack of diversity in the campaign.

Brooke Boney has now been included in the ad. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Nine’s Tracy Vo was suggested as a person who should be included.

Social media users were quick to point out that Channel 9 could have used the Today show’s Brooke Boney, who is a Gamilaroi/Gomeroi woman, in the ad.

In a sly Twitter response to a question asking if anyone can name any non-white stars from the network, Boney said: “Lol thanks. Good to know I cut through” accompanied with a laughing face emoji.

Channel 10 presenter and Media Diversity Australia co-founder, Antoinette Lattouf, led the criticism on Twitter.

Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon on Today

“Yo @Channel9 you missed your shot at looking like you care about the health of anyone who isn’t white #getvaccinated #butonlyifyourewhite,” Lattouf tweeted.

A new ad emerged on Wednesday with Ms Boney included and Asian travel presenters Kev and Teng.

Before their inclusion, all 18 Nine Entertainment staff in the video were caucasian.

Fordham told his 2GB audience on Wednesday morning that the advert was “really well done” but revealed he turned down a request to appear in the video.

“As for the accusation that it is too white, I’m not sure they had a lot of time to put the whole thing together,” he said.

“Now I know this because late last week, I was asked to be a part of these ads. With very little notice a camera crew turned up here at 2GB to film my part but I had to explain I didn’t think it was appropriate to appear in the ad because I’m yet to get the jab.

In response to the criticism, Michael Healy, Nine Network’s Director of Television said “As we are in the midst of a global pandemic, Nine Network is continuing to support community awareness regarding Covid and to be informed about the vaccination, this is our shot for Australia to be connected again.

“It is an internal initiative and there will be a number of promos rolled out during this campaign”.