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NT News’ ‘overly keen motorist roots car’s exhaust pipe’ article deemed not offensive

NT News

The NT News has escaped censure from the Australian Press Council after a complaint its ‘Overly keen motorist roots car’s exhaust pipe’ was dismissed because of the quirky newspaper’s distinctive style.

The Darwin-based News Corp tabloid is famous for its catchy headlines and bizarre stories which include “Why I stuck a cracker up my clacker”and “Best man left bleeding after being hit in the head by flying dildo”.

The article in question was published online on May 12 this year and contained an embedded video featuring a clothed man kneeling behind a car, apparently engaged in a sex act with the exhaust pipe.

It referred to a man who had “made love to more than 700 vehicles”, noting that such attraction was “known as mechanophilia and is a criminal offence in some countries”.

In defence of the article, the NT News said it was recognised for its unique style and the “wit and vigour it brings to telling, at time, ribald stories”.

The press council noted the article was presented very much in the style the NT News is known for and was intended to be a “quirky” and “offbeat” report. The NT News argued the article “examined an unusual condition in a humorous manner” and highlighted that it “was a genuine medical condition”.

NT News told the press council while it has no written policy in relation to posting content on its website, it does rely on a “forum” of senior editors when deciding whether to publish potentially contentious material.

However the newspaper told the press council the video and article were removed from its website after concerns were raised by the complainant.

Miranda Ward

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