The Australian Women’s Weekly secures unpaid interview with Natalie Joyce
Bauer Media’s flagship monthly title The Australian Women’s Weekly has triumphed over its commercial media rivals and secured an interview with Natalie Joyce, the ex-wife of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.
Unlike Barnaby Joyce’s interview – which reportedly cost Seven $150,000 – Natalie Joyce was paid nothing, according to Bauer Media, with the publisher saying “at no point was the topic of payment for the story raised”.
The July issue aims to celebrate rural women
Bauer also insisted its interview with Natalie Joyce was in the works before Seven’s Sunday Night sat down with Barnaby Joyce and his ex-staffer, now partner Vikki Campion.
Natalie Joyce described Barnaby Joyce’s paid interview as “an absolute disgrace”, but said she wasn’t doing the interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly as revenge.
Natalie Joyce fended off paid offers from commercial media outlets, instead choosing to tell her side of the story to her friend and journalist Lizzie Wilson, Bauer said. She was driven to do so to protect, and stand up for, her daughters, an excerpt from the magazine said.
“I’m normally a very private person, but I knew I had to find my voice. I’m doing this so the girls feel empowered, and know their mum stood up and defended our fine name,” Natalie Joyce said in an excerpt from the interview.
In the interview, Natalie Joyce will discuss Barnaby Joyce’s affair “and how the love and support of the greater rural community ultimately saved her”, with editor-in-chief Nicole Byers noting she is thrilled her magazine secured the story.
“Much has been written, discussed and debated in regards to the Barnaby Joyce affair and despite intense interest from many quarters, Natalie Joyce has remained silent – until now,” Byers said.
Natalie Joyce (second from left) with The Australian Women’s Weekly team
“This interview is intimate, personal, and shows a side of the story that has never been seen before; that of Natalie as a wife and mother to four beautiful daughters.
“With grace and conviction, Natalie reveals what it’s like to be a woman whose husband’s extramarital affair garnered national news and public debate. In so bravely and eloquently finding her voice, she will no doubt inspire women across Australia and we’re extremely grateful Natalie trusted The Australian Women’s Weekly to tell her story.”
The magazine goes on sale tomorrow, Thursday 21 June.
Barnaby Joyce and Campion’s interview, which went to air earlier this month, secured 631,000 metro viewers, according to OzTAM’s overnight preliminary metro ratings.
There was public blowback from the interview – particularly in light of money changing hands and Campion’s complaint to the Australian Press Council seeking privacy following The Daily Telegraph’s article which revealed her pregnancy.
News Corp in particular was at pains to highlight the hypocrisy of asking for privacy from one media outlet, while profiting from telling your story to another.
Campion subsequently dropped her complaint against The Daily Telegraph, telling 9Finance she just wants to focus on motherhood, not pursuing the complaint.
“I filed a Breach of Privacy complaint when heavily pregnant in an attempt to prevent my baby from being hounded by media after his birth, however he was papped at three weeks of age and drones used over our hose,” 9Finance reports her as saying.
“To stop being chased, we agreed to an interview [with Seven]. I have since approached the press council to close the complaint as I just want to focus on motherhood.”
topics
Barnaby Joyce
Bauer
Bauer Media
magazines
Natalie Joyce
Nicole Byers
The Australian Women's Weekly
Vikki Campion
