Press Council Backs Chrissie Swan In Woman’s Day Battle

Press Council Backs Chrissie Swan In Woman’s Day Battle

The Australian Press Council (APC) has come out in full support of Chrissie Swan after the media personality submitted a complaint about a Woman’s Day article.

The article, which appeared in print on 27 March 2017, featured photos of Swan and her three children leaving a McDonalds drive-through.

The dispute for Swan was not the image itself but the details about her children.

Woman’s Day included the names and ages of Swan’s three children, an act she said was meant to “expose and ridicule” her children.

The article read, “STAR SPOTTER Your favourite stars … caught on camera”.

A caption next to her youngest child said she “leads the way!” adding, “Drive-through Maccas is every kid’s dream treat!”

The article began, “These guys must’ve been doing their chores!” and said Swan treated her children—stating their names and ages—“to a lunch date at McDonald’s”.

In a statement, the APC said, “Swan said her complaint was not about the coverage of herself but of her young children.

“The photograph showed them in an unflattering light, one with a pacifier and a security blanket and another with a pacifier.

“She said the effect of the picture was to expose the children to ridicule.

“The photograph had been taken without her knowledge or approval, and the article caused considerable distress to her family, made the children feel unsafe, and exposed them to threats and abuse, especially cyberbullying,” it added.

The APC completely agreed with and backed Swan’s concerns in its conclusory paragraph of the statement.

“The Council notes that the photograph of the complainant and her children was taken without her consent or knowledge.

“Children have a reasonable expectation of privacy, although this can be limited in various ways, in particular by what their parents do or cause the children to do.

“Particular care is required when publishing material concerning children, given that children have a limited degree of choice. This will involve exercising judgment in individual cases.

“The Council considers the article was likely to cause substantial distress to the family.

“In publishing the article with the unauthorised photograph of the children with their pacifiers and a security blanket visiting “Maccas” with the accompanying caption “… caught on camera”, the publication failed to take reasonable steps to avoid causing substantial offence, distress or prejudice. Nor did any public interest justify this. Accordingly, the publication breached General Principle 6.”

Woman’s Day has been faced with a litany of high-profile complaints, most notably its recent stoush with Rebel Wilson, which ended in a $1.3 million payout from Bauer.




Latest News

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup
  • Advertising

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup

Out-of-home OOH) and digital media leader Prashand Menon (lead image) has joined OOH ad tech company Veridooh as group business director within NSW and QLD. Menon joins Veridooh from his most recent role as ScentreGroup’s group business director and brings with him more than 10 years of experience in Australian media. Previously, he held positions […]

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency
  • Advertising

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency

After more than twelve years of producing experiences for some of the world’s most innovative brands, including Hermes, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co, Kat & Co has quietly metamorphosed into THE WORLD OF. THE WORLD OF is an experiential agency at the juncture of culture, technology and the human condition. […]

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two
  • Campaigns

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two

Through a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment, SMG Studio inked the rights to adapt Dune: Part Two into a game based on Risk: Global Domination, Hasbro’s interactive board game. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic masterpiece, Dune: Part Two, this new digital adaptation, RISK: Global Domination X Dune: Part Two, is poised to captivate players from […]

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market
  • Marketing

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market

Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival have had a dramatic impact on the number of people moving in and around Sydney over the past month, drawing big crowds into the heart of the city and its surrounding suburbs. New data from digital outdoor company QMS reveals a […]

MKTG Launches PR & Talent Division Realigning Business Structure
  • Marketing

MKTG Launches PR & Talent Division Realigning Business Structure

Dentsu‘s MKTG Sports and Entertainment has unveiled a significant evolution, including the launch of a specialised PR and Talent Marketing division, investment in expanding its Creative Services group, and a centralised approach to brand and rights holder servicing with increased production capabilities and a strengthened in-stadium sports presentation team. Lead Image: MKTG CD Ross Allen; […]