ABC chair Ita Buttrose says Australians need to reflect upon their "abhorrent" and "unacceptable" behaviour on social media, following the treatment of high-profile Indigenous journalist Stan Grant.
Grant last week announced he would be stepping away from his media commitments.
The Wiradjuri journalist and Q+A host wrote in his weekly column that no-one at the ABC had publicly supported him after he was subjected to racist abuse following his appearance on the broadcaster's coverage of King Charles III's coronation.
Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne, Ms Buttrose said she was "appalled" to learn of Grant's experiences.
"If I'd known any earlier, I would have spoken to him about it, but I didn't know, and I don't think many of us knew until fairly late in the piece," she said.
Ms Buttrose said abuse received by Grant had left her questioning whether Australians were able to have "proper discussions".
"People are sick of the abuse and toxic culture that pervades our public discourse, whether it's sports, social issues, politics," she said.
"You can disagree with someone without having to abuse them."
Ms Buttrose said the ABC was providing the veteran broadcaster with support and was hoping he would return "as soon as he feels ready".
Ms Buttrose also said she believed the national broadcaster needed to strengthen its approach to racism.
"I think that's been quite apparent with the appearance of the managing director at senate estimates this week," she said.
ABC managing director David Anderson told senate estimates they had intended to work with other media companies to tackle the issue.
Grant's actions a 'lesson for the entire community'
"I think what management needs to do is make sure we support the people who make that content," Ms Buttrose said.
"I think there's been a lesson for the entire community by Stan stepping back, I think the strong public reaction has led to what I would call one of the most widespread outpouring of public commentary on public life that we've seen for a long time."
On Monday, ABC news director Justin Stevens told ABC Radio Melbourne he was "devastated" Grant felt let down by the organisation's management.
"I think we are going to have to get into the habit … to call this out more often and more regularly," he said.
Mr Stevens criticised other media outlets for amplifying the concerns of trolls.
"There is a fine difference between scrutiny and pile on," he said.
"I'm saying stop going after people for doing their jobs."
Stevens' comments followed an apology by ABC managing director David Anderson, who said he was dismayed the experienced broadcaster had been exposed to such "sickening behaviour" and said it would review its response to racism.
Grant describes 'bruising' couple of weeks at Sydney Writers' Festival
There was applause as Grant walked out onto the stage for a scheduled appearance at the Sydney Writers' Festival where he was there to discuss his latest book, The Queen Is Dead.
"We love you, Stan," an audience member called out.
"Oh, thank you," he responded. "Someone does."
It's the first time Grant has spoken publicly since he signed off on Q+A.
"I was wondering today what to talk about," Grant said.
"My mind is just so blank and the past couple of weeks have been just so bewildering and bruising, and I don't know if I've got anything left to say."
Grant said it occurred to him that words get in the way.
"Words are just not enough," he said.
"I've written 80,000 words in this book, I've written hundreds of thousands of words in other books. Sometimes words just hold us apart from each other. We can talk about things, I can write about things, but what are people hearing?
"I try to talk about truth. I try to talk about justice. And I try to talk about those things with love and respect.
"But people hear love and they respond with hate. People might hear the word respect but respond with spite. Words are not enough."
He also addressed the ABC's coronation coverage, and his response to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
"It wasn't the death of the queen as an individual — I'd met her, and I have love and respect for everybody — but what that crown represented, and that we mourned the crown in ways that we don't mourn our own people … the most unloved people in Australia," he said.
Grant said there were two Australias and people should be angry about the treatment of First Nations people.
"What have we done, except go back to the well for more love?"
