Trans Justice Project Demands Apology From ‘Media Watch’
The Trans Justice Project has called for a correction and apology from Media Watch following its June 26 report covering gender-affirming care.
The segment discussed the sacking of Age columnist Julie Szego, with host Paul Barry calling Szego, “another casualty in the gender wars.”
Szego was sacked from The Age, in early June, after her comments about “woke journalists” following the masthead’s refusal to publish her article about gender-affirming care.
Barry concluded the segment by saying, “In a debate where both sides accuse the other of extremism, it’s the media’s duty to be an honest broker, treat both sides with respect, and not be scared into silence.”
Open Letter Calls Out Lack Of Accuracy
In an open letter addressed to host Paul Barry, the Trans Justice Project called out the segment’s “lack of accuracy, balance, and fairness.”
The letter stated, “Gender-affirming care helps trans people to thrive, live their best lives, and gives them the freedom to be themselves. The broad medical consensus is that gender-affirming care is a life-changing treatment, it improves people’s lives, and more needs to be done to make it more affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it.
“The segment failed to adequately engage with vital facts and context that were necessary for audiences to gain a full understanding of the article in question.”
Signed By Over A Dozen Community Organisations
The letter was signed by over 15 community organisations, including Amnesty International Australia, Thorne Harbour Health, Victorian Pride Lobby, and Transgender Victoria.
“This morning we are standing together with a number of trans-led, LGBTQIA+, and Human Rights groups calling for a correction and apology from MediaWatch,” Director of the Trans Justice Project Jackie Turner said.
“Trans people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It is incredibly concerning that a show that markets itself as an impartial watchdog has done such a poor job of representing these issues accurately and fairly.
“In an environment of increasing hostility towards the LGBTQIA+ community it is so important that the media are engaging in accurate and fair reporting, and are not spreading disinformation about our communities”
In a statement to Star Observer, Media Watch Executive Producer Tim Latham said, “The Julie Szego case is a legitimate story for Media Watch. It was a fair and balanced account including plenty of criticism of Ms Szego, her article and her views and it offered significant airtime to the counterpoints.”
Latham continued, “We stand by our story and the importance in airing differing points of view.”
Given it was a short program covering snippets of items in the media, there was only a limited time for the transgender comment. On the face of it, I thought the comment made by Paul Barry was fair. If a more lengthy debate was needed then more issues could have been raised and perhaps to a deeper extent. Everyone is being too precious that they can’t have their say. I too am a gay man and thought Paul Barry did a good job.
I didn’t find the broadcast negative toward trans people at all. I thought it was a fair assessment of the story being told. As a gay man who’s waited all his life for acceptance from society it’s gonna take time for society to catch up to trans issues. It’s still not there completely. Be patient and stop trying to force it or you’ll lose support. It’s gonna get there.