Why the ABC was accused of ‘radical activist nonsense’ after a calendar invite was sent to staff

The ABC has been called out for not hosting Remembrance Day but going ahead with plans to hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance.

An ABC insider said Sky News the national broadcaster is hosting the event next week as part of its new diversity and inclusion measures.

The policy was introduced following the publication of the racism review in October, which found racial discrimination, insults and stereotyping were rife at the ABC.

The national broadcaster has introduced a series of changes, including a 75-minute training course that is mandatory for all 4,000 employees.

Staff received a calendar invitation on Thursday informing them that the Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held at the Ultimo Foyer in Sydney next week.

The event will be broadcast to ABC offices across the country.

Sky News senior reporter Caroline Marcus questioned why the same respect had not been shown to Australian soldiers on Remembrance Day on Monday.

“You would imagine that the ABC ALSO held an event in the foyer for employees who might want to come together to observe a minute’s silence and pay tribute to the soldiers who died for our freedom,” she said.

The ABC has been called out for not hosting a Remembrance Day event but pushing ahead with plans to hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance

“Apparently not, says our ABC insider.”

Traditionally, a minute’s silence is observed to honor the soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation, and to mark 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, when the guns on the Western Front fell silent and the disastrous conflict of the First World War.

Red poppies are also traditionally worn or displayed to represent the lives lost.

The 75-minute training that ABC employees must complete by the end of the month is entitled “Building an Inclusive Culture.”

As an example of the course content, staff have been told to use the term “misinformation” instead of a phrase such as “Chinese whispers.”

Marcus labeled such efforts as being ‘radical activist nonsense’.

It comes just a month after the racism review was handed down in October.

The report was drawn up following Stan Grant’s shock resignation from the ABC over claims he was denied support while being the target of racist attacks.

Specific details included employees receiving comments about their racist appearance, stereotyping and being racially mistaken for someone else.

An ABC insider told Sky News that the national broadcaster will hold the event next week as part of its new diversity and inclusion measures

It’s been a torrid few months for the ABC, with head of news Justin Stevens having to admit that altered gunshot audio had been used in a news report about an Australian Special Forces operation in Afghanistan.

An audio expert revealed how video footage published by the ABC was altered to add five extra gunshots, making it appear as if an Australian soldier shot at an unarmed Afghan man.

In issuing a groveling apology, Mr Stevens said the audio was “improperly edited” and has since been removed from all of ABC’s online platforms.

Seven staff reporter Liam Bartlett, who broke the story, accused the ABC of defaming the country’s brave troops, while the public broadcaster made war crimes allegations.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.