Apologies from Triple J
Triple J morning presenter Tom Ballard has apologised for comments made on air relating to Hitler and the Holocaust.
Tom Ballard
The ABC youth focused radio station was running a game linking things together…in this case Hitler and a wind farm.
Ballard referred to the gas chambers used to slaughter hundreds of thousands of Jews suggesting they were “fan-forced ovens”.
Ballard did not immediately apologise for his gaffe twittering “if you don;t like the show, just don’t listen”.
Later he did apologise but not before comparing what he had said with the work of comedians Mel Brooks and Charlie Chaplin.
In their statement, Triple J said: “On Thursday morning’s breakfast show, some comments were made by a triple j presenter in relation to Hitler that have received a negative reaction.
Further to our post yesterday on facebook, triple j takes all complaints seriously. We recognise the concerns regarding the comments are serious. triple j agrees the comments made were inappropriate. The matter has been followed up with the Breakfast team. triple j regrets the matter and apologises unreservedly for any offence caused.”
Ballard himself issued a statement saying: “I’m very sorry that on my breakfast radio program, I offended and upset a lot of people. That’s not what I like doing; I like making people laugh and I like making people happy. I never set out to vindictively offend or belittle anyone or any group with my comedy, that’s not what I’m about. I sincerely apologise that’s how I came across in this instance.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive officer Vic Alhadeff commented: “The remarks by the Triple J presenter were beyond the pale. While his apology is welcome, the incident points to appalling ignorance of what occurred during the Holocaust and how easily thoughtless comments can cause both offence and harm. An offer is being extended for Mr Ballard to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum.”
A precious flower, that Tom!
Mr Ballard; If you think, in any was or manner that the Shoah is a subjest for humor, then you don’t belong an any public forum. And when you have to resort to “well they did it”, you knowyou’ve done something wrong.
What a pitiful excuse for an apology! Ballard should apologize for being a horrid, insensitive, cruel, ignorant little prat. Instead he seems to be apologizing for not managing his image better, so that we failed to perceive what a great guy he is who only wants “to make people happy”!
As far as I’m concerned he was an accessory to racial vilification, the ABC should take responsibility, and I’d like to see him do community service spreading his peculiar brand of sunshine in the Montefiore home.
Dear Tom Ballard,
If you had a drop of Jewish blood in you, you might’ve thought twice about making any flippant remarks about gas ovens used to kill millions of innocent people – in fact, not just Jews – homosexuals, gypsies, any deviant from the norm. Possibly a large portion of JJJ listeners might fall into that category? In other words, in another time and another place, none of us might really be safe….. better to be safe than sorry before making remarks on a subject you obviously know so little about… yes?
A concerned listener.