On Friday, June 5th, former triple j presenter Gen Fricker shared a video on her personal Instagram, divulging incidents of racism that happened behind the scenes at the youth broadcaster.
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.”
On June 10th, triple j offered a response statement 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.”
Gen Fricker has shared a response to the uninspired triple j statement, criticising the station for its lack of action.
“‘We can always do better'”, she wrote on an Instagram story.
“Yeah. No shit. How about culling the racists from your management team? Or doing literally anything at all?”
Fricker went on to draft a “response that actually has meaning”.
“We want to unreservedly apologise to any person of colour who has felt uncomfortable or unsafe during their time at triple j,” she wrote. “We have failed our staff, and without being called out publicly we would never have done anything.
“The staff members identified in these accusations are facing disciplinary action, and we are seeking the help of outside, POC-run firms to help us create a safer environment, as clearly our internal ABC processes have failed.
“While we have tried to present a diverse perspective for young Australians, we realise we have a long way to go.”
Fricker mused that even if the ABC launched an investigation into the racism entrenched in their business, it would be likely that no consequences would be faced, “Now watch as a bunch of old white dudes who want to keep their jobs investigate their own racism and come to the conclusion that it’s fine, nothing to worry about, all good, just a bit of fun.”
