Fairfax apologises to Stynes and Negus over articles on ‘dud root’ soldier comments
Fairfax Media has apologised to Yumi Stynes and George Negus two-and-a-half years after the pair were vilified for making what appeared to be disparaging comments about an Australian war hero on defunct Channel Ten chat show The Circle.
Stynes and Negus were bombarded with abuse after appearing to question the sexual prowess and intelligence of Victoria Cross recipient Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith on a show in early 2012, and the issue was reported widely across the Australian media.
However, on Saturday an apology appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald and also in The Age addressed to Stynes and Negus conceding aspects of its coverage at the time were wrong:
“In 2012 Fairfax publications asserted in a number of articles that Yumi Stynes and George Negus had made derogatory comments regarding the sexual character of Victoria Cross recipient Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith and his use of IVF procedures. The discussion occurred on The Circle television chat show. Our interpretation was wrong and we accept that both Mr Negus and Ms Stynes were not referring to Cpl Roberts-Smith personally, but to strongly built men generally. We apologise for the error.”
The reaction of Defence Force families to this issue was one to behold. They severely critisized the broadcasted comments, yet never accepted the sexual harassment culture that within the Defence Force that seems to surface on a monthly basis.
I’m glad they received the reaction they got because the man is a role model for soldiers, civilians and Australian’s as a whole.
@Ryan – What was said by these two ‘professionals’ was disgusting, defence families have every right to express their outrage at such behavior as does every single Australian.
“They severely critisized the broadcasted comments, yet never accepted the sexual harassment culture that within the Defence Force”
It wasn’t only defence families outraged by this and what a disgusting generalisation you’ve made. I still believe that these were comments about Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith personally and they got their just desserts.
“Dive to the bottom of the pool to see if his brain is there”…
He’s not the one who needs to find their brain.
They managed to squeeze out an apology from Fairfax years later because Stynes and Negus are media people. Anyone else is asked to file a complaint with the Australian Press Council, which has only a 30 day maximum to lodge a complaint. One rule for them, one rule for everyone else.
The question from Stynes to Negus wasn’t a quip- it was a valid request for clarification for Negus’ “in the sack” observation. However, it was reported and accepted by many that Stynes had actually directly called Roberts-Smith a “dud-root”. This was what she was primarily villified for, and what Fairfax is apologising for i.e. she did not call Roberts-Smith a “dud root”, she just asked if that was what Negus was claiming.
In relation to Negus, the footage includes the important caveat from Negus- “nothing about poor old Ben”. The word “nothing” is partially obscured by other panelists interjections, and while it is still fairly clear, it is understandable that Stynes and others, questioned his follow-up “in-the-sack” comment. (Even the Mumbrella journalist here has omitted to mention this important caveat, though Negus himself mentioned it in his later explanation on The Project). I understand this is the basis of the apology from Fairfax to Negus.
What is also not mentioned is that the segment was introduced as a discussion on male attractiveness and masculinity, with Roberts-Smith an example of what panellist Georgi Coghlan called “the perfect image of masculinity”. Stynes and Negus’ comments were in that context- it wasn’t a targeted discussion of Roberts-Smith.
Viewer, given the text of the segment (as mentioned above and as viewable in the clip) clearly shows that neither Stynes nor Negus were referring to Roberts-Smith in their “in-the-sack” and “dud root” comments, I imagine they eventually brought some legal pressure to bear in terms of defamation.
viewer, nelson, sam- I challenge you to find where Stynes called Roberts-Smith a “dud root”.
Sam #2, I wasn’t outraged or disgusted in the slightest – (it was a JOKE), so why is your opinion more important than mine?
Stynes suggesting he would have to “dive to the bottom on the pool to see if his brain is there”
Negus who said “I’m sure he’s a really good bloke….but that sort of bloke, what if they’re not up to it in the sack?”.
“…we accept that both Mr Negus and Ms Stynes were not referring to Cpl Roberts-Smith personally, but to strongly built men generally.”
Sounds like Stynes and Negus were referring to Ben personally to me. Who leaned on Fairfax for this bit of BS to be printed? It is obvious that the apology was the result of legalistic bullying.
Aussie Austridge
Re stynes pool comment- Fairfax is not apologising for that. They are apologising for saying she said RBS is a dud-root (and is the pool joke really that offensive? His own mother probably said something similar). She never said rbs was a dud root. She just asked negus if that was what he was saying.hence the apology.
And re negus’ “up to it in the sack” comment- watch the footage carefully- he specifically says “nothing about poor old Ben”. Before and after, he consistently said he wasn’t taking about BRS. Hence the apology.
“Legal bs” is actually quite important because it needs to be based on facts, not just cut-and-pasting words out of context. You can bet that fairfax wouldn’t have apologised if they didn’t think they were wrong.
Yumi Stynes had no idea the identity of the bronzed well proportioned guy she was speaking of. She was slammed about this like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before and I’ve been on this earth 62 years. It was downright disgusting what Ms Stynes went through over this. She was strong however and got on with her life, marrying a wonderful man. Thankfully she has very loving supporting family and friends not to mention her undying devoted fans that have stood by her knowing the truth!