ABC suspends David Morrow over 'racist' remarks

[Patorick]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/abc-suspends-announcer-over-racist-remarks-20130508-2j8ew.html

ABC suspends announcer over 'racist' remarks

Adrian Proszenko, Glenn Jackson

The voice of rugby league for ABC Radio has been stood down pending an investigation into alleged racist remarks aired during the national broadcaster's NRL coverage on Monday.

The veteran caller David Morrow, who has been part of the ABC's coverage of rugby league on TV and radio since 1980, was understood to have been telling a joke before the St George Illawarra-Manly clash, not realising he had been put to air earlier than expected.

The ABC confirmed on Wednesday that an investigation had been launched, with Morrow to remain suspended until it was completed.

"David Morrow has been suspended from duties pending the resolution of an investigation into his recent on-air comments," an ABC spokesperson said.

The ABC received several complaints over the matter.

"It's disappointing," said ABC Grandstand manager Craig Norenbergs.

"Obviously from an ABC values, managerial and personal viewpoint I won't stand for racism in any way or form, particularly from someone who holds as much credence as our No. 1 league caller David does," he said.

It's understood that Darwin-based Charlie King, the longest-serving indigenous broadcaster at the ABC, was particularly offended by the comments.

Last year, Morrow celebrated his 40th year of calling rugby league. During his long career with the ABC, he has also been a member of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games coverage since 1984, as well as one of the broadcaster's cricket commentators. He was awarded an OAM in 2005.

Morrow was uncontactable on Wednesday night.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/abc-sus...ist-remarks-20130508-2j8ew.html#ixzz2ShyPbvRA

If true, what an absolute fool.

In any case, it's time to get rid of him ABC.

Peter Wilkins is right there. As are Richard Svenson and Craig Hamilton who both clearly understand the game better and are more enjoyable to listen to.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Did anyone hear what was said ? i don't want to know what was said , just wondering how bad it was?


Peter Wilkins was a great caller , why did he leave the job?

Anyway I don't agree with getting rid of thirsty morrow because of his calling. He's a bloody good commentator with a great passion and understanding of the history of the game IMO.

 

[Patorick]

Audio here:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-for-racist-jibe/story-e6frexnr-1226637857154

 

[Bjorn Pork]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/abc-suspends-announcer-over-racist-remarks-20130508-2j8ew.html

If true, what an absolute fool.

In any case, it's time to get rid of him ABC.

Peter Wilkins is right there. As are Richard Svenson and Craig Hamilton who both clearly understand the game better and are more enjoyable to listen to.

I like Svenson, but Morrow is an infinitely better caller, in my opinion. I like Hamilton, but again, Morrow is the better head commentator, and I don't think Hamilton would want to do the travelling the gig would require.

If Morrow is sacked, I would suggest a commentary team of Shannon Byrnes and Luke Williamson. I think the days of having commentators who can string whole sentences together are well and truly behind us.

 

[gUt]

Well... I'm not black so I can't really comment on whether this is really "offensive" or not. But it sounds to me he's having a go more at Darwin than dark skinned people. Still what an absolute barry crocker.

What a shame, he's a great caller and this might well be the end of him. How about the laugh of Shannon Byrne too?

 

[IanG]

I've heard worse

 

[herbert henry1908]

Audio here:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-for-racist-jibe/story-e6frexnr-1226637857154

It's in bad taste for sure , but its not overtly racist.

Should just be a short suspension IMO.

 

[Noa]

Awesome, Peter Wilkins can now have his job back.

 

[The Enforcer]

F..k there is some precious people out there.
If anyone is offended by that, then they need to just harden the f..k up.
And David, if that's the best you can do, you had better stick to the commentary as that sort of stuff is a 100 years old..........oh hang on it's the ABC.

 

[Up the mighty Phins]

Did anyone hear what was said ? i don't want to know what was said , just wondering how bad it was?


Peter Wilkins was a great caller , why did he leave the job?

Anyway I don't agree with getting rid of thirsty morrow because of his calling. He's a bloody good commentator with a great passion and understanding of the history of the game IMO.

Didn't Wilkins head over to 2GB when they first acquired the radio rights to the NRL? And then dumped when Ray Hadley and co defected from 2UE.

 

[whall15]

Peter Wilkins is the head of sport at the ABC, he commentates womens soccer games occasionally and is a sportsreader on News 24, hosting a nightly show.

 

[The Voice of Reason!]

Pretty appalling comment in this day and age. Justified action.

 

[Brutus]

Hope Morrow returns soon. I love listening to him and the Wok commentate. They both have great stories to tell from years gone by.

Svenson doesn't shut up about AFL and soccer.

Silly comments Thirsty, but nothing an apology cannot rectify.

 

[I see Dragons]

. . a private comment between two colleagues that inadvertently got broadcast . . dumb . . but hardly worth the fuss imo . . if it was anybody but Aunty ABC it wouldn't have rated a mention . . slap on the wrist an abject appology and lets get on with it!

 

[East Coast Tiger]

If you're going to get suspended/sacked for a racist joke you'd want it to be about a million times funnier than that.

 

[Mr Saab]

Didn't Wilkins head over to 2GB when they first acquired the radio rights to the NRL? And then dumped when Ray Hadley and co defected from 2UE.

That is correct.

I cant stand that female sideline eye that the ABC has. She offers NOTHING.
Ah the days of Tony Meaghay on 2UE back in the 90s.

As for Morrow, he is a good caller, but sometimes gets carried away....like when Anasta fell into K Hunts shoulder 5 yrs ago. Morrow went off saying it was worst than Boyd on Brohman. He tends to get carried away sometimes.

 

[gUt]

Yeah I'll never forget that one. Was camping at the time, when I got back I saw it on replay and thought 'is THAT it!?'. The best part is I have heard him refer to it in the time since, eg stuff like 'almost as bad as Hunt's hit on Anasta'.

 

[Brutus]

Not a fan of that Shannon Byrne.

Knows f**k all about league and she prefers AFL.

Aren't there any passionate league journos out there?

 

[Brutus]

The Hunt-Anasta incident was laughable.

Not one of Thirsty's better moments.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

It's a nothing remark - total overreaction.
Having said that, I am sick of David Morrow, one of the biggest whingers around. Every game he will get a bee in his bonnet about something - generally some ref decision he doesn't like - and then go on and on about it for the rest of the game.
The female sideline eye is useless - typical ABC nonsense. I like Craig Hamilton, he's like an old style 1980s commentator, wouldn't mind hearing him call more often.