“Democracy everywhere is suffering because of the way we’ve been driven to take up positions of conflict. It’s destroying our society,” Grant said. “I know this – I was in the crosshairs of it – but I have to ask myself ‘where did I go wrong too, how did I fail, how do I find a way to talk to people who harbour racist attitudes?’.”
ABC news director Justin Stevens announced Grant’s departure in a note to staff on Tuesday, offering his gratitude to the journalist for being a “truth teller”.
“This is a role that clearly aligns with Stan’s desire to lead a conversation in Australian media about how media can foster a more constructive and kinder discourse,” Stevens wrote.
ABC staff rallied in support of Stan Grant after he stepped back from journalism amid the backlash from the broadcaster’s coronation segment.Credit: Edwina Pickles
“We respect Stan’s decision and we hope he will still be a contributor for the ABC in the future from this new role. The ethos behind it aligns with our endeavour to make our journalism more constructive at a time where the media sector is seeing increasing levels of news avoidance and news fatigue.”
Monash’s dean of arts, Professor Katie Stevenson, said students would benefit from Grant’s vast experience within the media and his passion to bring about positive cultural change.
“There is no better person to lead the advocacy for a more solutions-focused, democratic approach to journalism,” Stevenson said.
Throughout his decades-long career, Grant has served as a current affairs and news presenter with Channel 7, CNN, SBS and the ABC. He has also written several books, including 2023’s The Queen Is Dead: Time for a Public Reckoning.
Responding to reports he had just quit the ABC on Tuesday, Grant said he had resigned weeks ago.
“I said to the ABC I don’t want any big statements,” he said. “But it’s the nature of the beast that people will hear about these things.”
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Though he is leaving, Grant said he still has positive relationships within the ABC and hopes there will be opportunities to collaborate with the public broadcaster in the future.
“The ABC is precious to me and so are its people,” Grant said in a note to ABC staff. “For now I need to go in a different direction, but I will always consider ABC family.”
Grant’s decision to step away from Q+A in May inspired his ABC colleagues to share their experiences of racism. On May 22, rallies were held across the country in support of Grant, where staff gathered outside the organisation’s Sydney and Melbourne headquarters, holding placards reading “I stand with Stan” and “We reject racism”.
The news of his departure from the ABC comes shortly after Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced the broadcaster’s chair, Ita Buttrose, would not seek reappointment when her five-year term ends in March.
