Ray Martin drops ‘n-word’ on live TV
WHILE the world was bombarded with Royal Wedding coverage last Saturday, a horrifying faux pas by veteran broadcaster Ray Martin on the SBS live coverage almost went unnoticed.
During a discussion with co-hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey about how Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle signifies a shift in racial attitudes by the British royal family, Martin used the 'n-word' twice.
He repeated the racial slur while telling a historical anecdote about Prince Philip, known for making racist remarks and other inappropriate comments, using such language while touring Nigeria.
The comments were removed from the SBS On Demand recorded version of the coverage, following an "editorial judgment", according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
But it didn't get past some live viewers, who took to Twitter to express their shock.
Ray Martin just dropped the N bomb on national television. That’s it, I’m out, goodnight.
— Warwick Hughes (@warwickfilm) May 19, 2018
Myf looks panicked trying to steer the bus back on course after Ray Martin drops the n-bomb twice on #sbsroyalwedding
— Dylan Levey (@DylanJLevey) May 19, 2018
Hear old mate Ray Martin with that hella racist comment!?
— Kyle (@kyle_hrbrs) May 19, 2018
Seriously though someone needs to tell Ray Martin he made a HUUUGE mistake #sbsroyalwedding
— MoAna Lisa (@ehlisa_1) May 19, 2018
Hey #SBSRoyalWedding can you maybe tone down the awkward racist comments... FYI the gospel choir was English, not “Afro American” and Ray needs to stop quoting Prince Philip
— PawneeGoddess (@GoddessPawnee) May 19, 2018
The Gold Logie award-winning presenter also reportedly called the outstanding young cellist a "black boy".
Jesus, did Ray Martin just call that wonderful cellist a ‘black boy’? Was that absolutely required? #SBSRoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/48t06yJ5xc
— Aido (@AidoAv) May 19, 2018
Ray Martin just called the cellist 'the black boy ... err, man'.
— JessicaJonesismyGoddamnMuse (@crazyjane13) May 19, 2018
WOW.#sbsroyalwedding
In a statement provided to the Sydney Morning Herald, an SBS spokeswoman said the discussion about Prince Philip's use of the word "highlighted the positive cultural changes that have occurred, with the commentary that immediately followed from both presenters indicating that these terms are unacceptable."
She added that the broadcaster had not received any formal complaints, and defended Martin's use of the term as presented "within its reported historical context".
