Sky News cancels Freya Fires Up after Islamophobic bacon stunt
The bacon incident
Sky News has confirmed it has cancelled its program Freya Fires Up after just six episodes, following a controversial segment where a guest with bacon on his shoulders made anti-Islamic statements during a live cross.
The show, hosted by 22-year-old Sky News personality Freya Leach, went to air live on the News Corp-owned network on Sunday September 21 without any senior oversight.
The guest, UK-based “social media sensation” Ryan Williams, wore rashes of bacon on his shoulders during the cross — from Sky News’ Perth studio — and called Muslims terrorists.
After Williams claimed he was wearing the bacon to avoid a beheading, Leach noted that “the majority of Muslims don’t support that”, adding: “We have seen here in Australia at least we’ve got some great moderate Muslims, but I think it’s up to them to condemn the elements of the culture or religion that are more extreme.”
Freya Leach (Instagram)
Williams was pulled from air within 60 seconds of appearing in the live cross, after which Leach returned to air, saying: “I’ve just been told we have to apologise for what was just aired.”
The following day, Sky News issued a statement, saying it “took immediate action during the live broadcast to cut off the guest” and noting that Leach apologised to viewers, and the content was not republished on its online platforms.
“Sky News Australia apologises unreservedly for the deeply offensive comments made by a guest during a live broadcast on Sunday evening,” the statement continues.
“We recognise the harm such rhetoric can cause and take full responsibility for this failure in our editorial processes.”
It also said it will pre-record future programs. Alas, Frey Fires Up did not go to air yesterday, and a Sky News spokesperson has since confirmed the show has been removed from its schedule.
“We have undertaken a thorough internal review, implemented its recommendations, and taken appropriate action with everyone involved in this incident,” the spokesperson told The Age.
Leach will remain with the network, as part of the panel on The Late Debate, which airs at 10pm on weeknights.
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