Nine urged to ‘not profit from racism’ and sack Sam Newman over George Floyd comments
During a discussion about AFL players kneeling before a game in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on his podcast, Sam Newman has called George Floyd – the unarmed black man who was killed in Minneapolis by a white police officer kneeling on his neck – a “piece of shit”, “crackhead”, and “pornstar”.
In response, #StandDownSam and ‘Sam Newman’ have trended on Twitter, and an online petition directed at Nine has been circulated. The petition, which refers to Newman as “one of Australia’s most prominent racists”, calls on the network to stand down the 74-year-old less than a week after he returned to screens on Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show, in a new weekly segment called ‘Sam’s Shed’.
The petition
Nine has always been dinosaur central. Home of racism, sexism and homophobia. Everyone in positions of power is straight, white, male and old. Can’t wait to see the whole thing come crashing down.
‘Everyone in positions of power is straight” is that the case ‘Not Surprised’?
That’s going to come as a surprise to Peter Hitchener who presents the weekly news on Channel 9 and has done for decades.(One of the most senior people on the network.)
Female wise in senior positions to0 many to list. But Tracey Grimshaw comes to mind immediately.
Racist? Hmmm I remember growing up watching Ernie Dingo on Channel 9’s Getaway. One of the first First People with a full time role on a commercial network and it was Channel 9.
Sam Newman, take him or leave him. However I think it is important that we censor people when they say things we don’t like or agree with.
Sam Newman losing his job isn’t censoring. It would be a totally valid reason for someone to get the axe. There’s a huge difference between taking away someone’s platform and stopping them from speaking.
Really? ‘You can still speak Sam but we will make sure no one can hear you’. Not really a lot of difference. This is censorship of commentary that doesn’t fit the acceptable narrative.
I don’t understand the issue – you can agree that George Floyd was murdered by a cop, and be outraged by that, while also accepting he wasn’t exactly a model citizen. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Was Sam saying he deserved it? That would be an issue, otherwise it’s just facts. Let’s not make a martyr of the guy.
I totally agree.
Sam was just saying he wasn’t a model citizen
Why can’t he say that ?
It doesn’t quite fit the narrative does it?
The only story that they want people to hear is a racist cop as part of a racist system targeted and murdered George Floyd. Which somehow gives people a get out of jail free card to destroy private businesses in some of the poorest parts of the cities.
Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story, because if you call it out, you’re whatever @Not surprised said above.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in November, whether the loud public will vote for change, or the silent population will re-elect Trump.
Alan leaving means they need right-wing balance to this part of their audience. Seriously though, WTF, what an absolute piece of trash…at some point consumers and advertisers need to speak up with their eyeballs and wallets
‘I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’ – Voltaire
Apologies It’s George Floyd of course not Ford . Don’t let my mistake detract from my comment
Alan Jones launches new show on Fox News Australia.
A serious question: should all sporting codes pull out of Sky / Fox, so that their brands are not tarnished by the Murdoch News / opinion?
Sky*
What a weird thing to say! News Limited commands about 70% of eyeballs in the news space. Probably about 80% (or even more of the sports coverage space). Why would sport’s code forgo that sort of coverage? Weird.
Alan Jones himself has a huge loyal listener base, has been involved in rugby most of his life and is a knowledgeable commentator. An excellent addition to Fox News.
It’s like the noisy element think everyone has to think/follow them. Weird.