The ABC says it will conduct a harm and offence review of its entertainment content after Netflix decided to pull four of the broadcaster's Chris Lilley series containing controversial depictions of race.
Originally broadcast on the ABC between 2005 and 2014, We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High, Angry Boys and Jonah From Tonga were all removed from Netflix this week following sustained criticism over Mr Lilley's use of brownface and blackface.
An ABC spokesperson confirmed the broadcaster was now reviewing its content for harm and offence.
“We are reviewing our content to ensure it meets current community standards and reflects our editorial policies on harm and offence," the spokesperson said.
"Community attitudes change across time and context, and we recognise that the ways in which some characters have been depicted in the past might be considered deeply objectionable or offensive today.”
In recent years, Mr Lilley's use of brownface to depict Tongan character Jonah Takalua and blackface to depict African American character S.mouse has come under fire, as has his use of stereotypical tropes in portraying Asian characters.
Lilley, centre, pictured in brownface depicting Tongan character Jonah Takalua. Source: ABC Australia
Netflix's decision to pull the series comes as the latest move in a string of streaming services and broadcasters removing racially insensitive content.
In Britain, the BBC removed comedy sketch series Little Britain from its iPlayer after criticism against the show's own use of blackface and brownface.
New US streaming service HBO Max has also removed 1939 film Gone with the Wind from its catalogue after 12 Years a Slave screenwriter John Ridley penned an article describing it as “a film that, when it is not ignoring the horrors of slavery, pauses only to perpetuate some of the most painful stereotypes of people of colour”.
Vivien Leigh and Hattie McDaniel in 1939 film Gone with the Wind. Source: Mary Evans Picture Library
While SBS is not undertaking a formal review, a spokesperson said the broadcaster was always revisiting its own content catalogue.
"We constantly review our content offering, considering the impact and context in which it’s being shown, and make occasional changes," the spokesperson said.
"We’re focused on ensuring Australians have access to a range of programming and coverage across the network which explores and encourages understanding of issues impacting our society.”
