Stan Grant, one of Australia's most notable Indigenous journalists, stood in front of a live camera, explaining why he was leaving his post as anchor of a major program at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Grant, a Wiradjuri man, had spoken on the impact of colonization on Indigenous Australians during ABC's coverage of King Charles' coronation a little more than two weeks before.

The remarks sparked a barrage of criticism, most of which is fueled by attacks repeated in Rupert Murdoch-owned Australian outlets. 

Racist abuse directed at Grant and his family has been described as "grotesque" and "unrelenting" on social media. Grant announced his desire to stand down from writing for ABC's website and presenting the network's live debate show, Q+A.

It has also triggered renewed debate in Australia about ongoing racism, poisonous media influence, and claims about Australia's national broadcaster's institutional cowardice in supporting its Indigenous workers.

Great protest organised by black ABC employees. As soon as the call went out grassroots and community turned up. I saw elders, young and mob from across the many industries.

Don’t be bystander.

Silence is Violence.

Racism is everywhere, call it out. #istandwithstan pic.twitter.com/St2FLNjFFB

— Nessa Turnbull-Roberts (@TurnbullVanessa) May 23, 2023

“I’m not walking away for a while because of racism,” Grant said. “We get that far too often. I’m not walking away because of social media hatred."

“I need a break from the media. I feel like I’m part of the problem. And I need to ask myself how, or if, we can do it better," he added.

“We in the media must ask if we are truly honoring a world worth living in. Too often, we are the poison in the bloodstream of our society. I fear the media does not have the love or the language to speak to the gentle spirits of our land,” he stressed.

This comes at a pivotal time in Australia’s history.

The country, which has long struggled to comprehend the atrocities committed against First Nations peoples, is contemplating a constitutional amendment that would codify a new advisory body that would give Indigenous Australians a say on issues affecting them.

Read next: Australian PM outlines draft to enshrine voice for Indigenous 

Indigenous peoples are currently unrecognized in Australia's constitution, and the move to enshrine a so-called "voice" - a consultative body to provide advice to the government on resolutions that would have an influence on the marginalized group - in the document would necessitate a nationwide referendum.

Australia has long been unsuccessful to close the gap between the health and well-being of its Indigenous people and the rest of the people, with soaring imprisonment rates among First Nations people and a life expectancy lower than the national average by eight years.

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