Updated
Sky News has sacked host Ross Cameron over racist comments he made on the Outsiders program earlier this week.
Key points:
- Sky News chief executive Paul Whittaker has apologised for Ross Cameron's comments
- He said they have "no place" on Sky News platforms or in Australian society
- There are also calls for his co-host Rowan Dean to be sacked
Cameron made disparaging comments about Chinese people shortly before midnight on Tuesday.
His comments sparked outrage online, and were fiercely condemned by Australia's former race discrimination commissioner Tim Soutphommasane.
"I have today advised Ross Cameron that his contract with Sky News has been terminated," Sky News chief executive Paul Whittaker said in a statement.
"Sky News is committed to robust discussion and debate however this language is totally unacceptable and has no place on any of our platforms, not in modern Australian society."
The broadcaster has now deleted all content from the relevant Outsiders episode from all its platforms.
"We apologise for any hurt or offence caused by the remarks made by Ross Cameron on the program," Mr Whittaker said.
Ross Cameron also apologised for the remarks, telling Macquarie Radio he may have been wrong.
"I don't expect to make perfect live television every time," he said.
"On this occasion I obviously fell short of what was required.
"If anyone's been hurt, I'm very happy to sincerely apologise.Mr Cameron said he had made other "more serious" mistakes for which he had not been punished.
"But I am a fundamental believer in the right to hire and fire."
Mr Soutphommasane said the comments were offensive.
"This is nasty even by the low standards of Sky News and Outsiders," he said.
Following Sky's dismissal of Cameron, Mr Soutphommasane called for the same action to be taken against his co-host Rowan Dean.
Earlier this year, Cameron and Dean had Senator David Leyonjhelm on the program and allowed him to repeat offensive comments about Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young which he originally made in Parliament.
He was then given the opportunity to add to his attack without challenge from either host.
Sky News later issued an apology to Senator Hanson-Young and said a producer had been suspended over the broadcast.
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