Sky News and Peta Credlin apologise for false reporting on COVID-19 outbreak
Sky News has been forced to issue an apology, following backlash after Peta Credlin falsely blamed a COVID-19 outbreak on Melbourne’s South Sudanese community.
The broadcast on Friday saw Credlin allege that “poorly-assimilated migrants” from the South Sudanese community had ignored social distancing in an “end-of-Ramadan feast”. Sky News Australia and Credlin have ‘sincerely apologised’ for the comments and removed them from all platforms.
The South Sudanese community in Australia is overwhelmingly Christian, for starters. The Federal government has also drastically cut funding for refugee support services. Victoria now has close to 2000 confirmed coronavirus cases, but *suddenly* cultural background matters.
— Benjamin Millar (@BenjaminMillar) June 26, 2020
Credlin, who made the comments on her self-titled evening show Credlin, will also address the issue on her show tonight.
“An editorial which aired during the Credlin program on Friday 26 June at 6pm AEST, incorrectly linked Melbourne’s South Sudanese community to a COVID-19 outbreak,” read a response from Sky News.
“Peta Credlin and Sky News Australia accept these comments were inaccurate and sincerely apologise for any offence caused by the remarks which have been removed from all platforms.”
How good is the Murdoch racist media
At the same time they are apologising for Peta Credlin's appalling comments they are publishing similar comments
and promoting the story on twitter.Sorry NOT Sorry#Auspol pic.twitter.com/lXSyuQEHBB
— ? Sleeping Giants Oz ? (@slpng_giants_oz) June 28, 2020
Credlin alleged in the segment that many of the people in the South Sudanese community spoke Dinka instead of English and were therefore unable to understand hygiene guidelines. Swift backlash followed her comments, including the correction that Muslims make up a very small percentage of the South Sudanese community.
The Society of South Sudanese Professionals (SSSPA) said the report was ‘irresponsible’ and encouraged ‘unfair targeting’ of the South Sundanese community.
She doesn’t have to deal with the consequences of her Actions. A fake Apology is not enough for our community. Our community is losing people left right and centre back home due to COVID-19 ? Racist Journalism in Australia must stop ? pic.twitter.com/T7xa6uozAa
— Akec Makur Chuot (@AkecMakur) June 28, 2020
“SSSPA considers this report a serious assault on South Sudanese Victorians. Irresponsible journalism can cause immense damage and further smears against a community already unfairly targetted,” the association said in a statement.
“But most importantly, South Sudanese people are abiding by COVID-19 restrictions, evidenced by extremely low numbers of infection in the South Sudanese community.”
1. It’s a hoax.
2. It’s nothing. Don’t over react.
3. It was China.
4. It was the left.
5. It’s nothing. You’re all triggered lefties.
6. It’s nothing but it was all China… and the left.
8. IT’S A DISASTER AND IT’S ALL BLACK PEOPLE’S FAULT!!!
This clown once advised a Prime Minister. I wonder why he only lasted two years…
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This is a helpful article by Hannah Blackiston.
Highlighting inaccurate nonsense from mainstream media designed to excite unpleasant segments of our society should called out and criticised. Exactly the role a journalist should play. Thank you Hannah.
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News/Sky never get tired of cheap shots at the South Sudanese community.
‘Poorly researched racist’ will fit nicely on Peta’s resume.
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Again, as I’ve said before. I’ve planned millions away from news corp. I get the reach elsewhere and campaigns perform fine. If others join me in my quiet, personal, ethical crucade. We will feel better about our jobs. Money talks.
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This is why the ABC is the most trusted news source and media outlet in general.
And why people who are ideological commentators, while entitled to their views, should not be mistaken for journalists as when they hold themselves up as speaking truth in the face of “PC gone mad”
Credibility zero.
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It was interesting to see the creep in the News Ltd approach. Over the first few days, persistent questions to the Government in press conferences about the specifics of the “family groups” and so on. But no bites. Then, finally, Peta Credlin takes the whole bucket of bait and chomps down. Oops.
Dinka follow a indigenous belief system, while most of Sudan was converted from Coptic Christian to Sunni Islam. by the Mahdists in late 18thC.
However, a large proportion of refugees are Christian, as they suffer persecution in Sudan.
Maybe Credlin can come on her show and simply say: “I made it all up. I checked nothing. I simply had a stab because I don’t like foreigners or Muslims. this is what I do for a job, and it pays well. Thanks, Lachlan.”
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Sky admits to its own fake news
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Good to see an immediate and unconditional apology.
If only journalists and news services of all persuasions did the same.
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‘Sincerely’ apologising is not acceptable for spruiking something that is not true in the first place. Whistleblowers are treated like criminals for telling the truth while those who tell lies for the attention it gives them are not held responsible for their lack of research.
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