Australian broadcaster SBS has decided to fire presenter Scott McIntyre for “disrespectful” tweets about ANZAC Day.
SBS says Scott McIntyre’s remarks breached the organization’s code of conduct.
Tweeting on the centenary of the Gallipoli landings in Turkey during World War One, Scott McIntyre wrote that Australia’s and New Zealand’s soldiers had carried out “summary execution, widespread rape and theft”.
Some reporters criticized SBS’s move.
They suggested that firing Scott McIntyre was against the principle of free speech.
Scott McIntyre, who was SBS’s football reporter and TV presenter, put out a series of tweets on April 25.
The presenter wrote: “Remembering the summary execution, widespread rape and theft committed by these <<brave>> Anzacs in Egypt, Palestine and Japan.
“The cultification of an imperialist invasion of a foreign nation that Australia had no quarrel with is against all ideals of modern society.”
Australian Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull described the posts as “despicable”.
“Difficult to think of more offensive or inappropriate comments,” he wrote.
Scott McIntyre has so far made no public comments on his sacking.
