Sky News has decided to cancel its After Dark program, Freya Fires Up, following a controversial broadcast involving an Islamophobic guest. The program’s host, Freya Leach, interviewed a guest who appeared wearing rashers of bacon, a gesture widely interpreted as offensive to Muslims, during a live segment.
Last week, Sky News announced it would conduct a review of the show and planned to pre-record future episodes. However, the program, which had been on air for less than two months, was subsequently removed from Sky’s promotional materials and did not air in its usual Sunday night slot. Instead, Sky aired a rerun of its morning news program, Sunday Agenda, hosted by chief anchor Kieran Gilbert.
Immediate Action and Apologies
On Monday morning, a Sky News spokesperson confirmed that the decision to discontinue Freya Fires Up was made with immediate effect, following just six episodes. Despite the cancellation, Freya Leach will continue her role as a co-host on The Late Debate, another Sky program.
“We have undertaken a thorough internal review, implemented its recommendations, and taken appropriate action with everyone involved in this incident,” the spokesperson stated. “We took immediate action during the live broadcast to cut off the guest, our host promptly apologized, and we ensured the content was not published or republished on any of our digital platforms.”
Guest Appearance Sparks Outrage
The decision to cancel the show followed an incident where the program aired without senior editors or managers approving the guest list for the September 21 episode. All online material related to the show has since been removed from Sky’s website.
Leach’s guest, Ryan Williams, a 33-year-old ex-reality TV contestant from Scotland, was removed from the live broadcast just one minute into his appearance by a senior producer. Moments later, Leach stated, “I’ve just been told we have to apologize for what was just aired, those comments earlier,” but did not offer a personal apology until more than 24 hours later on The Late Debate.
“The comments were shared widely in far-right sections of social media, praised and endorsed by sections of MAGA support groups and by far-right British activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.”
Controversial Background of the Guest
Leach introduced Williams as a “social media sensation,” despite his history of wearing bacon in his posts and his frequent anti-Islamic rhetoric. Williams has openly pledged to inflict “maximum damage on Islam” and to keep “Europe Christian at all costs.”
Freya Leach has gained recognition in certain circles of Australia’s right-wing movement as an online conservative personality. She serves as the director of youth policy at the right-leaning think tank, the Menzies Research Centre, affiliated with the University of Melbourne. Leach also ran as the Liberal Party candidate in the 2023 State election for the seat of Balmain, though she was unsuccessful.
Implications and Future Steps
The cancellation of Freya Fires Up highlights the ongoing challenges media organizations face in moderating content and guest appearances. Sky News’ swift response underscores its commitment to maintaining editorial standards and preventing the dissemination of hate speech.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, networks like Sky News are increasingly under pressure to balance freedom of speech with responsible broadcasting. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential repercussions of inadequate oversight and the importance of vetting guests thoroughly.
Sky News has not announced any plans to replace Freya Fires Up with a new program. Meanwhile, Freya Leach remains a prominent figure in Sky’s lineup, continuing her role on The Late Debate, which airs Monday to Thursday at 10 p.m.
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