ABC presenter Charlie Pickering has clarified his comments on the broadcaster’s engagement of Grace Tame on a new podcast.
Pickering, host of Melbourne’s drivetime radio show, told listeners yesterday that he had been “misrepresented” when he was asked by Rebel News Australia what he thought of his employer’s decision to hire Tame.
“I do actually think it’s problematic, that’s my personal opinion,” Pickering told the outlet on Tuesday.
“I think, as a Jewish Australian, there’s a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that are said and what (the) true meanings of them are. A lot of people are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond what they think they do.
“I think you could argue that a lot of people who jump on protest bandwagons are ignorant a lot of the time.”
Pickering made the comments when asked about the new podcast, but clarified he was not directly referring to Tame.
The ABC’s announcement this week of a new podcast, hosted by Tame, a former Australian of the Year, also attracted criticism from Senator Sarah Henderson and leaders of the Jewish community.
The ABC said that the highly divisive public figure will host a four-part podcast, Autistic AF, and discuss aspects of women’s experience with autism in Australia.
Grame Tame speaks at a rally protesting the visit of Isaac Herzog. Image: Instagram
Charlie Pickering clarifies comments on Grace Tame
After the clip of him speaking was met with outrage, Pickering addressed the drama at the beginning of his Thursday show, saying he was “a big fan of Grace Tame”, The Australian reports.
“On Tuesday, there was a protest outside the ABC here in (Melbourne’s) Southbank by a group critical of the ABC and alleging editorial bias,” Pickering began.
“I headed out to hear what they had to say and interview people in the hope of listening to their concerns and perhaps airing their views on this program.
“Unfortunately, I was ambushed by a known provocateur (Yemeni) and pressed into a conversation that was not planned and that I definitely had no intention of being a part of.
“I would never have agreed or planned to be interviewed by that person, and to say so misrepresents me and the full context of the situation.”
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Pickering continued, telling his listeners:
“I am very disappointed there is a suggestion I am against Grace Tame, or that she is not an appropriate host of a podcast about autism. This is simply untrue.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Grace Tame. She’s an outstanding advocate for those on the autism spectrum, for survivors and for women and for all of us.”
Pickering continued to insist he was misrepresented, claiming, “all manner of beliefs and positions have been projected on to me that are not true.”
In a statement to The Australian, an ABC spokesperson said, “Mr Pickering made clear that the views he expressed were his personal views. They do not affect his ability to perform his role or the integrity of ABC content. The ABC does not consider this to be a breach of its code of conduct or public comment guidelines.”
Top image: Charlie Pickering, Grace Tame. Image: Instagram