Red Symons, the former Hey Hey It’s Saturday number-scribbler accused of racism after a calamitous interview last week, has apologised for the bizarre incident and its impact. 

Following an unedited interview with It’s Not A Race podcaster Beverley Wang, in which Symons asked her “what’s the deal with Asians?” and “are you yellow?”, the ABC Radio Melbourne host this morning copped to the offence he caused. 

“The plan was to take on a serious topic, race and culture, and talk with Beverley about a range of related issues,” Symons told listeners.

“I came across as racist and I was wrong in the way I conducted the interview.

“This is not who I am, but I acknowledge on this occasion I caused offence and hurt, not only to Beverley but also to our listeners.”

Symons delivered his “sincerest apologies” for the incident, now recognising that “we need to talk about these issues, but be careful we consider them.”

The interview drew near-instant criticism, not only because it was so incredibly tone-deaf, but because it was actually published by the national broadcaster. 

After the fact, the podcast segment was removed from the ABC site, and the organisation said it’d have a look over the editorial checks and balances that lead to its publication online.


Source: ABC.
Photo: Robert Prezioso / Getty.

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