On Friday, June 5th, former triple j presenter Gen Fricker shared a video on her personal Instagram, illuminating incidents of racism that happened behind the scenes at triple j.
The video saw the former Lunch host detail incidents of casual racism she witnessed from team members and the feelings of isolation that she had to deal with being one of the two people of colour working at the station.
“If you work at triple j and you’re white you’re part of the problem,” Gen shared in the video.
“The difference between being not racist and anti-racist is calling out that shit,” she explained. “I don’t think you realise how fucking lonely it was being one of two brown people in those rooms having to explain why maybe a white woman singing in another language with no black people was a bit fucking problematic.
“We try and say shit about this in the room but you get tired. You get tired of having to fucking explain it all the time. It would be really great if any of these people posting black tiles literally did anything like that day-to-day.”
triple j has offered a lengthy response to Radio Today, acknowledging that “racism is not acceptable at triple j or the ABC” though the company “can always do better.”
“Triple j is proud of the diversity of our people, on-air and behind the scenes, and the ways in which we amplify diverse voices, music and issues on our airwaves,” a spokesperson said.
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“We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness but know we can always do better for our people and our audience. Like many media organisations, we are listening to and reflecting on the current conversation and our place within it. We will continue to work harder and be better.”
The youth broadcaster has promised to listen “to feedback from former and current staff within our team as well as wider conversations, and reflecting on triple j’s place within them, both in terms of how we communicate as a team and with our audience.
“We know we have huge opportunities to play a part in change and we’re committed to working harder and doing more.”
