Outrage as a ‘blatantly sexist’ joke is published in an Australian town’s local paper

>

Outrage as a ‘blatantly sexist’ and vile joke is published in an Australian town’s local paper: ‘If you forward this to a woman, be prepared to duck and cover’

  • Murgon Moments reported to Australian Press Council for its joke of the month
  • The paper, from a small Queensland town, published a domestic violence joke 
  • Joke involved doctor telling woman to keep her mouth shut to avoid being victim

<!–

<!–

<!–<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

A ‘blatantly sexist’ joke about domestic violence published in a regional newsletter has been reported to Australia’s press watchdog.

On Thursday, Attorney-General and Women’s Minister Shannon Fentiman confirmed she made a complaint to the Australian Press Council about a joke published in Murgon Moments, the local paper for the Queensland country town of Murgon.

The offensive joke involved a doctor telling a woman she could avoid becoming a victim of domestic violence by keeping her mouth shut.

The Murgon Moments, a regional Queensland newsletter, shared a joke where a doctor told a domestic violence to avoid injury by staying quiet

The Murgon Moments, a regional Queensland newsletter, shared a joke where a doctor told a domestic violence to avoid injury by staying quiet

It was shared under the paper’s Joke of the Month section for August.

Ms Fentiman said publication of the joke was disrespectful to victims of domestic violence, survivors, their families and support workers.

‘As Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, it is deeply troubling that a Queensland community newspaper would publish such disgraceful content, and it must be reprimanded for disseminating this so called “joke” to its readers,’ she told The Courier Mail.

Attorney-General and Women's Minister Shannon Fentiman has reported the joke, which she says is disrespectful to domestic violence victims, to the Australian Press Council

Attorney-General and Women's Minister Shannon Fentiman has reported the joke, which she says is disrespectful to domestic violence victims, to the Australian Press Council

Attorney-General and Women’s Minister Shannon Fentiman has reported the joke, which she says is disrespectful to domestic violence victims, to the Australian Press Council 

‘As a nation, we have come so far in our fight to end all forms of domestic and family violence, but it is these types of publications which belittle and undermine the very abuse we are trying to eliminate.

‘I strongly urge the Australian Press Council to act swiftly on this complaint, to ensure all media outlets in every community are held to the highest standard.’

The APC is not a legal body and cannot penalise the paper.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Murgon Moments for comment.