Two Bluey episodes pulled by ABC over ‘inadvertent’ racism

The ABC have pulled two Bluey episodes off their iView service after a case of “inadvertent” racism.

Bluey — a seven-minute cartoon about a family of blue heelers from the suburbs — has been rocked by racism, after a complaint about the use of the word “ooga booga” prompted a public apology from the national broadcaster.

Some viewers of the beloved series noted that the words “ooga booga” had a “problematic history for indigenous Australians” and had “racial connotations”, according to an update provided by the ABC.

There are conflicting definitions for the term, with slang website urban dictionary saying it is a form of “caveman” greeting, while Macquarie Dictionary lists it as a derogatory noun for the language used by “African savages”.

The ABC have removed two episodes of the cartoon from their platform, one titled ‘Flat Pack’ and the other ‘Teasing’, so they can edit out the term.

In a public apology posted to its website, the ABC confirmed that they had apologised “to the complainant for any distress caused by the term used”.

“The ABC has a strong record for giving voice to Indigenous Australians and an ongoing commitment to helping reduce discrimination and prejudice and in this case, the language used was inadvertent,” the apology read.

“The complainant was advised that neither the ABC nor the external producers were aware of the potentially derogatory meaning of the term, which was intended only as irreverent rhyming slang made up by children.”