Zoo Weekly apologises to Hanson-Young over photoshopping, admitting it was ‘in poor taste’
Zoo Weekly has had to apologise to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young over the weekend after she won her defamation case against the Bauer Media publication, with the lad’s mag acknowledging a photoshop of the high-profile politician “was in poor taste”.
The title, which is currently the subject of a Change.org petition to have it banned from sale in supermarkets, carried an article in 2012 saying it would “house the next boatload of asylum seekers in the Zoo office” if Hanson-Young would agree to a “tasteful” bikini or lingerie photo shoot. It was accompanied by a an image of Hanson-Young’s head photoshopped onto the bod of a lingerie-clad model.
“We accept that the article was in poor taste. Senator Hanson-Young has made a significant contribution to asylum seeker policy in this country. We sincerely apologise for an hurt we caused,” the apology stated.
Zoo’s Weekly apology to Senator Hanson-Young
The NSW Supreme Court made no order on costs however as part of the agreement Zoo Weekly has posted an apology on its website.
In a statement, Hanson-Young has said she is “pleased” the matter has now been resolved, saying taking a stand against the article “was one of principle”.
“Whether it is a smutty men’s magazine or in pages of the daily newspapers, there is no place for the degradation of women and the right of women to have views or opinions,” she said.
“Taking a stand against this issue was one of principle. To be objectified in such a way for my stance on refugees was insulting and more than just ‘poor taste’.
“As a mother it is a huge concern that my own daughter can Google my name and find images of my face photo shopped onto the body of a near naked women.”
The apology follows on from Bauer Media removing the struggling title from the Audit Bureau of Circulation after the October to December quarter saw the title post a 36 per cent decline to 24,122 copies sold.
The lad’s mag, which is currently the subject of a Change.org petition to have it banned from sale in supermarkets, has seen thousands of readers desert the title in recent years with the October to December quarter showing a huge 36 per cent decline to 24,122 copies sold.
Senator Hanson-Young’s statement in full:
“I am pleased that this matter has now been resolved.
“Whether it is a smutty men’s magazine or in pages of the daily newspapers, there is no place for the degradation of women and the right of women to have views or opinions.
“Politicians regularly face adversity however, there comes a time when you have to draw a line in the sand and take a stand against sexism and bigotry.
“Taking a stand against this issue was one of principle. To be objectified in such a way for my stance on refugees was insulting and more than just ‘poor taste’.
“Women are too often victims of sexism and too often they stay silent on the issue.
“I believe that it is important that women see their political leaders stand up and call out sexism when they see it.
“As a mother it is a huge concern that my own daughter can Google my name and find images of my face photo shopped onto the body of a near naked women.
“Young women need to see their female leaders taking a stand against sexism. My daughter needs to know I did.
Miranda Ward
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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Scary state of affairs when defamation has been extended to swatting out something that is in poor taste, but hardly defamatory in and of itself, let alone that traditionally defamation actions in Australia usually have as a burden of proof that the alleged defamatory action has caused current or potential future financial harm.
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How utterly ridiculous. She is a politician and should be able to cope with satire and ridicule, and yes, that’s exactly what this is if you’d read the original piece. This is yet another attack on freedom of speech. If you can’t take the piss out of pollies, then the terrorists really have won.
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Diddums
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I feel very sad for you Andy. I just hope that was a lame attempt at satire but I fear not.
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Zoo have been photoshopping heads on semi-naked bodies of MEN AND WOMEN for over 8 years. It’s clearly satire and was never illegal before. Yet now politicians can successfully sue for it. WOW.
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