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Sonia Kruger: Issue “cannot be fully discussed in a short TV segment”

As Sonia Kruger defends her comments, she raises questions about whether some shows have the room to tackle complex issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VPmCedLFME

Today Extra co-host Sonia Kruger today defended her comments yesterday in which she called on Australia to ban Muslim immigration.

Reading a carefully-prepared statement she stood by the remarks, but qualified them by saying she respected all religions, races and multiculturalism.

“We have witnessed too many atrocities in the name of terrorism. Last week’s attack on men, women and children in Nice left me in utter disbelief. I saw the image of a baby covered in a plastic sheet with a doll lying beside her … the thought that it could happen here terrifies me,” she said.

Noticeably upset, the broadcaster said that public outroar following her comments yesterday suggest “It’s a complex issue with no simple answer that cannot be fully discussed on a simple TV segment”.

But she also noted, “It is a hugely complex and sensitive issue. It’s an issue with no simple answer, and it’s an issue that cannot be fully discussed in a short televised segment.”

“It’s a privilege to live in Australia which embraces a multi cultural society, but there is no simple answer here and if we are to find a solution to a situation at the very least we need to be able to discuss it.”

Yesterday Nine defended Today‘s Mixed Grill segment in which Kruger, David Campbell and Lisa Wilkinson discussed an article penned by Andrew Bolt.

25 Responses

  1. Its amazing how some people are calling Sonia Kruger’s comments as ‘bigotry’, yet going by the definition of the word – ‘intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself’ – they are using bigotry themselves. The hypocrisy is so evident.

    1. Merriam Webster:

      ‘Full Definition of bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance’

    1. “If” If has many possibilities doesn’t it. One could say that it might be the case but I’m sure the people on the left would come rushing back in claiming them to be ‘deniers’, hence making sure the discussion is stopped by making a blanket claim and by using a derogatory term. I find it interesting that the same people who use the terms like ‘hate speech’, racist, etc are pretty much guilty of the same thing. It’s a simple way of shutting down discussion to enhance their point of view. What you have done with this comment is stated that people against Muslim immigration also don’t believe in climate change, so you are ridiculing without any facts to back up that statement. I think Waleed said it well last night and we could all learn a few things from that.

  2. I’m glad Sonia expressed her views. There are a lot of people out there in the world that just want to ignore, dismiss and forget about this issue and come up with no reasonable solution to the problem – just look where there has got us now. When are people going to learn.

    1. When are people going to learn that we are not where we are now because people ignored the issue? When are people going to learn that discriminating against and marginalising a particular group within your own society has never fixed any “problem” ever?

      When are people going to learn that all that does is create an environment which tends to foster more extreme elements within that marginalised group, eventually leading them to commit violent acts against those who are seen to be oppressing them?

      Yes, when are people going to learn?

  3. Was this supposed to be an apology?! Irreparable damage to her reputation and deservedly so. Incomprehensible to think she could make such horrific comments on commercial television. Her statement in this video is bizarre. She says there are no simple answers and these issues can’t be discussed in a short segment. So is the segment cancelled? She didn’t even retract her comments! Is channel 9 taking action? Promoting bigoted commentary on tv must have consequences. But I’m not a mother, so maybe my opinion doesn’t matter?

  4. Of course everyone has a right to an opinion but one does not show their contempt on a supposedly family show, there is a right and wrong place for everything and I don’t think this was the right place to air her beliefs.

  5. Her offence was not her right to speak but the fact she used Channel Nine as a privileged platform for a stupid and clueless opinion. Please Channel Nine give her more time to explain how she will ban Moslems coming to Australia and let her expose her ignorance to her viewers. Perhaps it is time she went back to school and learnt a little about the history of the Middle East and the history of Islam. There are many quality universities teaching it and she could claim a work related tax deduction.

  6. “We have witnessed too many atrocities in the name of terrorism”. Didn’t she really mean to say “We have witnessed too many atrocities in the name of Islam”?
    “On Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry described last week’s Islamic terrorist attack in Nice…”.
    “Kerry expressed the same sentiment last month, hours after Islamic terrorists attacked Ataturk Airport in Istanbul”.
    “A Muslim migrant mows down eighty-four Bastille Day revellers (including ten children) with a truck while shouting praises to Allah”.
    “If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity”.-Albert Einstein.
    Should Sonia not speak up?

    1. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I completely agree with Sonia’s comments. It is niave to think Australia is immune to a similar act of terrorism that has occurred in Nice. It’s only a matter of time. My heart goes out to the French people – so pleased I travelled there 20 years ago because I certainly wouldn’t now.

  7. I don’t necessarily agree with her but I fully support Sonia’s right to express her views as she did on the Mixed Grill .
    She did nothing wrong by voicing her opinion and should not be attacked and criticised as racist the way she has been.
    Agree that participants cannot properly express or explain their views during such a short segment though.

  8. Thank you Sonia, at last someone on our mainstream tv has spoken for the majority of the silent people in this country. Our media personalities are not representative of all Australians. Im with you Sonia, and so are a lot of people.

  9. Sonia’s comment was a simplistic response to a complex issue that unfortunately only encourages people to openly abuse others. Better off leaving that to Pauline Hanson.

  10. There is a simple answer as to what not to do, so let’s not encourage discrimination and racism.

    How can she in one breath claim Australia embraces multiculturalism, and then stand by her commentary to banish an entire culture. I don’t think she understands her own words.

  11. I respect mothers, but they should be banned from coming into the country because of their religious intolerance.

    Turns out, once you push a kid out, you become an expert on society and terrorism.

    1. Won’t somebody think of the children!!!
      Totally agree, the notion that the opinion of a concerned mother is somehow more valid than everyone else’s irks me no end!

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