Sports commentator sacked in Australia over 'despicable' Anzac Day tweets

Sacking of Scott McIntyre in Australia over tweets criticising the "imperialist" invasion at Gallipoli prompts backlash as critics defend his right to free speech

Australia's public broadcaster sacked a sports commentator over tweets sent on Anzac Day which criticised the "imperialist invasion" at Gallipoli and described Australians commemorating the day as "poorly-read, largely white, nationalist drinkers and gamblers".

But the response by SBS, Australia's second public broadcaster, to the "inappropriate and disrespectful" series of tweets by Scott McIntyre has sparked a backlash, with critics saying the Anzac troops died to protect free speech.

McIntyre, a football reporter, used his Twitter account to question whether Australians marking Anzac Day on Saturday would "pause today to consider the horror that all mankind suffered". The national memorial day, which falls on April 25, this year marked the centenary of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign in 1915, in which more than 8,000 Australian soldiers died.

"Remembering the summary execution, widespread rape and theft committed by these 'brave' Anzacs in Egypt, Palestine and Japan," McIntyre wrote.

"Not forgetting that the largest single-day terrorist attacks in history were committed by this nation & their allies in Hiroshima & Nagasaki."

The tweets prompted public anger, with MPs describing the reporter's views as obscene.

"It is a free country, you can say what you like but there are consequences for when you say stupid and ugly things," Scott Morrison, a cabinet minister, told 2GB's radio.

Malcolm Turnbull, who has oversight over SBS as communications minister, said the comments were "despicable" and reportedly notified the broadcaster's management.

SBS said it had terminated McIntryre's contract, saying it apologised for any offence and insisting that the broadcaster "supports our Anzacs".

"At SBS, employees on and off air are encouraged to participate in social media, however maintaining the integrity of the network and audience trust is vital," said a statement by Michael Ebeid, managing director, and Ken Shipp, director of sport.

"It is unfortunate that on this very important occasion, Mr McIntyre's comments have compromised both." But several commentators and journalist came to the defence of McIntyre, saying they thought his comments were offensive but he had a right to express them.

"Opinions that should be able to be expressed without heavy-handed retribution by the employer," said the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the journalists' union.

Hugh Riminton, a prominent news anchor at commercial broadcaster Network Ten, said in a tweet: "Scott McIntyre's tweets were untimely, immature and in one case offensively wrong. But lest we forget, Our Diggers also died for free speech."

#ScottMcIntyre's tweets were untimely, immature and in one case offensively wrong. But lest we forget, Our Diggers also died for free speech

— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) April 26, 2015
McIntyre is reportedly considering disputing the decision to sack him.