News

Bauer Media to close People and Picture after retailers ban softcore pornography titles

Bauer Media will close its two softcore pornography magazines, People and Picture, at the end of the year as retailers refuse to stock the titles, making them commercially unviable.

Picture launched in 1988 while People launched in 1974, but recent pushback from organisations including Collective Shout have forced supermarkets and service stations to refuse to sell the two titles which feature topless models and readers’ sex stories.

A Bauer spokesperson said the lack of commercial opportunities forced the publisher’s hand.

https://twitter.com/CollectiveShout/status/1186108318277754881

“Discussions to close Picture and People Magazines have been taking place as the magazines have lost ranging, which has affected their commercial viability,” said the spokesperson.

“As closures impact a number of people, including some staff and suppliers, they need to be well considered and timed appropriately. The magazines will be closing at the end of the year and we’re working closely with staff to find suitable redeployment.”

Service stations run by 7-Eleven and BP refused to stock the titles in September and October respectively, after social media campaigns made the claim the titles “normalised sexual harassment” and “sexualised and objectified young women”.

The titles would include ‘nipslip’ and ‘upskirt’ pictures, both of which encourage practices which are illegal in Australia, it was claimed.

Collective Shout issued a release upon the announcement from Bauer Media saying it welcomed the decision. Movement director Melinda Tankard Reist commended Bauer on the choice.

“Bauer has recognised that society has moved on. These sexist titles cannot co-exist in a society that claims to care about sexual harassment and other forms of mistreatment of women,” Tankard Reist said.

“The sexist behavior of the St Kevin’s students just this week is a reflection of boys’ conditioning by a pornified culture. They learn early that women exist for their gratification. We can’t change behaviour without addressing the cultural normalising of it. A sexist culture grooms sexist boys.

“All the women and girls we represent thank Bauer Media for demonstrating corporate social responsibility. May other companies follow their lead.”

After the news was broken earlier this week by The Guardian, the twitter accounts for both titles were shut down.

Collective Shout reports the titles are still being sold by Coles in Coles Express stores. A campaign from Collective Shout campaigns manager Melinda Liszewski on Twitter drew BP’s attention to the lewd content in the titles, with Liszewski still campaigning for Coles to drop the magazines.

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