Australian Radio Apologizes for Hitler Prank
Australia’s public broadcaster apologized after a radio host asked his listeners to play a word association game involving Hitler and fan-forced ovens.
The prank broadcast Aug. 9 on triple j, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s youth radio station, caused Dvir Abramovich, the director of the Center for Jewish History and Culture at the University of Melbourne, to lament in the Sydney Morning Herald the following morning that there seems to be “no aspect or symbol” of the Holocaust that is “not subject to perverse abuse and cheap trivialization.”
Host Tom Ballard initially refused to apologize, saying on Twitter: “If you don’t like the show, just don’t listen.”
But the station issued a statement later on Aug. 10 saying it “apologizes unreservedly for any offense caused.”
Ballard said on Aug. 10 that he “sincerely apologized” for the joke which “offended and upset a lot of people. That’s not what I like doing,” he said. “I like making people laugh and I like making people happy.”
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
