Why are there so many cowards especially in the media, what are they, immune to the innocent blood being spilled in the west due to mostly Islamic extremist terrorist attacks, this needs to be debated and dealt with to ensure the safety of all Australians!
Embattled Sonia Kruger has few friends in TV willing to publicly support her after Muslim comment
Kruger herself has gone to ground, with a spokeswoman for the star said she would not be speaking to the media again.
An online petition calling for Kruger to be sacked has attracted almost 2,000 signatures.
Sonia Kruger leaves the Channel Nine studios. Picture: John Grainger
It’s understood rivals Ten and Seven directed her friends to avoid any public statements of support or otherwise.
“Ten told me not to say anything on it,” a prominent presenter said.
Another former colleague and famous face of TV said commenting would be “unwise”.
Those response echoed by several other co-workers and acquaintances contacted by News Corp Australia.
Mike Goldman, who worked alongside Kruger on Big Brother, was the only industry identity News Corp contacted who was willing to speak on the record.
“I worked with her for many years and she is one of the nicest people I have ever met,” he said. “Sonia Kruger is definitely not a racist. She never talked about race, just religion. She’s saying what a lot of people are afraid to say in public.”
Kruger herself has gone to ground, with a spokeswoman for the star said she would not be speaking to the media again.
Her Twitter and Facebook profiles have been inundated with fiery comments in recent days.
As well as being labelled a racist and bigot, some commenters hurled offensive and derogatory abuse
While high-profile supporters have been scarce, a number of prominent Australians have lined up to criticise Kruger.
“I want a ban on racists who characterise my entire community as would-be terrorists,” comedian and actor Nazeem Hussain said in a post on his Facebook page.
“That she’ll remain the host of two hugely popular shows on mainstream television after comfortably advocating for a ban on Muslims speaks volumes. She’d be sacked immediately if it was any other group.”
Former footballer and Nine NRL commentator Matty Johns also spoke out against Kruger’s remarks on his Triple M radio show, saying her view would be welcomed by Islamic extremists.
“These really destructive individuals who are radicalising young Australians, they would’ve rejoiced at what Sonia said,” Johns said.
“What it does, it feeds the narrative. They’ll use her words and say ‘see, look, this is what I told you … you don’t belong, but you belong with us’.”
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane said stereotyping Muslims “does nothing but breed hate” and encouraged people to speak out against it.
“If you don’t want to be called a racist or bigot, start by not doing something that involves racism or bigotry,” he said.
The Muslim community is also reeling, with advocate Mariam Veiszadeh — a lawyer and writer — describing the past few days as “hurtful”.
It’s understood Nine has received numerous complaints since Monday. A network spokeswoman said they’d be making no further comment, instead reissuing the same brief statement from 24 hours earlier.
Reaction online to Sonia Kruger’s comments made about Muslim migrants.Source:Twitter
“Nine’s view is that we believe in freedom of speech and the Mixed Grill segment on the Today show is a place where that happens,” it read. “Sonia, David (Campbell) and Lisa (Wilkinson) each expressed a variety of opinions on the show.”
Specific queries about whether Nine supports Kruger’s view or whether she’ll be counselled in any way went unanswered.
However it’s unlikely the presenter will be disciplined.
University of Sydney media law expert Associate Professor David Rolph said it seemed Kruger had not breached the Television Code of Practice.
“The Code allows for a range of views to be expressed — it gives a wide degree of latitude,” he said.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which enforces the code, would likely be satisfied that the incident was within the guidelines.
“Some people might find it offensive but the Code is directed towards things that are seriously offensive. ACMA would have to be absolutely satisfied that it was seriously offensive,” Rolph said.
“Given the range of views that were expressed in the program, it seems unlikely it would rise to that level.”
The agency received one complaint about Kruger, which was referred back to Nine.
Concerns about TV content must first be directed to the network, which has 30 days to respond. If the complainant is dissatisfied, they may then refer it to ACMA.
An online petition calling for Kruger to be sacked has attracted almost 2,000 signatures.
