'The tide is turning': Footy host slams Sam Newman in powerful speech
Yokayi Footy co-host Bianca Hunt has slammed Sam Newman and has pointed out the ‘tide is slowly turning’ in Australian media following the controversial broadcasters departure from Channel Nine.
This week, former AFL player and broadcaster Newman refused to back down on the controversial George Floyd comments that preceded his split from Channel Nine.
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Newman last week ended his 35-year association with the Nine Network after making disparaging remarks about Floyd - the African-American man killed by a white police officer in the United States.
Newman labelled Floyd a “piece of s***, a drug addict, a crackhead and a porn star” in his podcast.
But Hunt, who played AFL for Sydney University and the Morten Bay Lions, before becoming a co-host for AFL Media, took aim at Newman in a powerful monologue.
“This week, Channel Nine and Sam Newman, ahem, ‘mutually parted ways’ after Newman called the late George Floyd a crackhead, a pornstar and a piece of s**t,” Hunt said.
“Enough to lose your job right?
“But then again, so is sexualising female journalists live on air. So is calling a Malaysian man a monkey then comparing him to Serena Williams. So is demeaning little people or making transphobic slurs. So is black face and how it makes Nicky feel along with the rest of our mob.
“Surely each of these warranted a ‘mutual parting’ of Newman and network right? So, why now?
“Perhaps it’s because the tide is slowly turning.
One thing I said I would do coming into this industry meant that I would hold myself and others accountable. I promise that’s what I will always do.
Catch us tonight on Yokayi Footy 8pm NITV and https://t.co/muhfH7bKYn#YokayiFooty #NITV #AFL https://t.co/YoJTbbjD4L— Bianca Hunt (@biancahunt96) June 24, 2020
“Maybe, thanks to films like The Final Quarter and The Australian Dream and courageous journalists like Caroline Wilson and Susie O’Brien, Australia is evolving into a more accountable place.
“One that doesn’t tolerate entertainment underpinned by bigotry, one that cuts through the boys club when they close rank and defend bigots.
“Maybe viewers are at last demanding entertainment that doesn’t demean diversity but celebrates it.
“If that sounds like your cup of tea, stick with us. Whilst Newman might be finished, we’re just getting started.”
