Radio station Triple M has come under fire from Australia’s broadcasting regulator following derogatory remarks made by presenter Marty Sheargold about the national women’s football team, the Matildas. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) determined that Sheargold’s comments violated decency standards, prompting scrutiny of Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the parent company of Triple M.
In February 2023, as the Matildas were competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, Sheargold made inflammatory remarks during his show, claiming that the team was acting like “Year 10 girls.” He further stated that he would “rather hammer a nail through the head of (his) penis” than watch women’s sport. The ACMA described these statements as “sexist” and expressed that they displayed “a level of contempt and disdain” for women.
Regulatory Findings and Response
The ACMA’s investigation concluded that Sheargold’s comments breached broadcasting decency regulations. The authority noted that the comments were expressed in a “demeaning and sarcastic tone,” which exacerbated their offensive nature. According to ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood, the remarks crossed the line of acceptable discourse.
“Even if the comments were an extremely ill-judged attempt at humour, a reasonable listener would have found them offensive,” Lidgerwood stated. “Sexist comments like this don’t belong in Australian broadcasting.” The ACMA is currently contemplating enforcement action against SCA due to these breaches.
Following the backlash, Triple M and Sheargold severed ties. In a subsequent statement, Sheargold issued an apology, acknowledging that his comedic approach may have been inappropriate. “Any comedy including mine can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence at my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,” he said.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion about the expectations of decency in broadcasting, particularly regarding gender representation in sports media. It has also raised questions about the broader cultural attitudes towards women’s sports in Australia.
As the situation develops, the ACMA’s findings could lead to significant repercussions for SCA and may prompt further dialogue on the responsibilities of media personalities in shaping public perception of women’s achievements in sports.
