News Corp Australia’s most popular magazine, Sunday Style, has apologised for posting an advertisement for a fashion intern with an image of a young, semi-naked woman on all fours in bed.
The Murdoch-owned glossy admitted that it had made an “error in judgement” in using the photo, which has since been deleted, and has “apologise[d] for any offence caused.”
The original ad, which was posted on Instagram, stated that Sunday Style was on the hunt for fashion interns, encouraging people to email their CVs and to tag friends that might be good candidates.
Launched in March 2013, Sunday Style features in weekend papers the Sunday Herald Sun and the Sunday Telegraph and has a circulation of almost 900,000. It claims to be a “trusted source of inspiration and exclusive style for a modern and digital savvy audience.”
It is not the first time a Murdoch-owned publication has come under fire for its representation of women. A recent campaign from feminist group No More Page 3 revealed a shocking disparity in the way in which men and women are depicted in The Sun newspaper, with women appearing “manufactured”, while men were largely celebrated for their achievements.
Commenting on Sunday Style‘s advertisement, No More Page 3 campaigner, Lisa Clarke, said that it was interesting that an Australian Murdoch publication has “similar cultural issues” regarding women and their place in the world.
“Clearly it was ridiculously inappropriate to use such an image to advertise an academic position and it’s hard to imagine a woman being taken seriously in an environment where this was felt even initially appropriate on an advert,” said Clarke.
“However, perhaps most interesting to us is the fact that the ad was withdrawn and apologised for. What a shame that this understanding of what is appropriate and in context doesn’t extend to the UK.
“Perhaps, overall, women are not to be taken as seriously – or maybe Mr Murdoch and team feel the representation of women in national news is somehow not as “serious” an issue? We think it is and that women should always be taken just as seriously as men are.”
At the time of publication, Sunday Style had not responded to Newsline’s request to comment.
