Fresh sexism row as reporter hugs…

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  Fresh sexism row as reporter hugs…

Channel Seven reporter's hug of weather presenter sparks Chris Gayle comparisons

9/15

The Guardian

Shalailah Medhora

© Weekend Sunrise/Channel Seven Monika Radulovic's embraced by sports journalist Hamish McLachlan on Channel Seven's Weekend Sunrise on Saturday 9 January 2015

Social media users have compared Channel Seven sports reporter Hamish McLachlan to embattled cricketer Chris Gayle, after McLachlan wrapped his arms around his colleague Monika Radulovic on air.

Radulovic, a former Miss Universe contestant, was partway through a broadcast on her first day as a fill-in weather reader for Weekend Sunrise when the incident happened.

McLachlan, a friend of Radulovic, awkwardly embraced the reporter before she laughingly pushed him away.

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“Professional please, my goodness,” Radulovic said.

“There’s been stuff all week on that ... I’m not Chris Gayle,” McLachlan joked.     

Viewers were unconvinced, quickly taking to social media to draw a comparison between McLachlan and Gayle, who last week tried to pick up Channel Ten sports reporter, Mel McLaughlin, during a live interview.

“Hamish McLachlan’s actions seem to be receiving less condemnation than Gayle’s. Wonder why,” one person pondered on Twitter.

“So how is this ok ? Or different to what @henrygayle did and was so unfairly criticized for,” another asked.

Sunrise’s Facebook page was also peppered with criticism over the incident.

“I’m confused! One minute you guys are discussing Chris Gayle’s crappy behaviour and the next you have some horse racing bloke copping a feel of your weather presenter!” John Alexander wrote.

“How is what Hamish Mcglauchlan [sic] just did to the weather girl just then any different if not worse than what Chris Gayle did the other night???” Kevin Pollock asked.

One viewer thought Channel Seven needed to do more to protect women.

“Please advise what actions are you taking to protect your female employees right to not be disrespected, demeaned, groped and/or sexually harassed both off and on-air,” Leanne Kingswell wrote.

Later in the Saturday morning segment, both McLachlan and Radulovic apologised for the ill-judged incident.

“I understand people have made stuff of it on social media and if I’ve offended anyone at home I’m apologising for that absolutely,” McLachlan said.

He then said to Radulovic: “More importantly I apologise if I’ve offended you because I want to have fun and that is my fault if I’ve offended you.”

Radulovic said she was not offended.

“Not at all, I’m so sorry as well guys. I did not think twice about it,” she said, before noting that the pair were friends. “Like Hamish said, we’re colleagues and friends and we were just chatting like we normally do off-camera and so nothing on my part.”

McLachlan then apologised to Weekend Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew.

“Edwina, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you [or] anyone watching at home. Mon and I didn’t think anything of it and now I got the phone call saying people have made a lot of it so I apologise to whoever I’ve offended,” he said.

While the vast majority of social media commentary about the inappropriate hug was critical, a few users backed McLachlan and lamented the rise of political correctness.

“Hamish you should not have apologised...our country is already buckling because of idiots that endorse and have taken political correctness overboard....get over yourselves and get a life you whinging idiots, why dont you complain about something worthwhile that is happening in the world...seriously!!” Julie West posted on Facebook.

“Where’s the Easily Offended & media lynch mob? Unwanted contact = physical assault? #standbygayle”, one Twitter user said.

Guardian Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment on the incident.

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