Stan Grant to leave Q&A permanently

afr.com:

Star ABC broadcaster Stan Grant will not return to host the Q&A political discussion show after taking a leave of absence sparked by critical mainstream coverage and racist social media attacks.

Mr Grant went on leave in May after a being singled out in a wave of criticism that began when he participated in a panel on the British monarchy’s colonial legacy during the ABC’s coverage of King Charles’ coronation.

Journalist Stan Grant will not be returning to the ABC’s Q&A program. Jacquie Manning

ABC RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas will continue as the fill-in host until the end of the year. The ABC announced that Mr Grant had left the program at lunchtime on Monday.

Its news director, Justin Stevens, who was the only ABC executive that Mr Grant identified as supporting him during the wave of abuse, said that the corporation respected Mr Grant’s decision.

“Stan Grant is one of the country’s finest journalists, storytellers and broadcasters and we will be delighted to have his contribution across a number of different ABC programs,” Mr Stevens said.

“We want to do all we can to support Stan and ensure he continues to play a major role in Australian media. He has the ability to lead our media toward a kinder and more constructive conversation.”

Mr Grant, who is a Wiradjuri man, will continue with other unspecified projects at the ABC. Mr Grant, who did not make any remarks via the ABC’s media release, was contacted for comment.

More to come.