Could not agree more, the things he said (not alleged because he was found guilty) were abhorrent and no human should be subjected to that. He can redeem off screen. He will never be not guilty, no matter how much redemption he does
This article is spot on. The only thing Channel 7 will listen to is $$$. Advertisers and viewers would need to demonstrate their disgust for any action to be taken to remove Cousins from this job.
Let me start by saying there’s no excuse for DV or rape…..unless you play footy.
Jarryd Hayne is another classic example - whenever anyone in the footy media speaks about him they refer to his “past indiscretions” - I have never heard anyone in rugby league ever refer to him as a sexual offender or a rape ist…..even though he committed the crime on 3 occasions that we know of….its just past indiscretions.
One note - you mentioned how you are prepared to give those recovering from drug addiction as many chances as it takes, it does terrible things to your brain - could it be that the stalking & harassment that led to the DV charges were a direct result of & ran in parallel to his drug addiction? Did one cause the other? If that’s a factor do you cut him some slack because his drug addiction screwed with his mind to a point where he didn’t think what he was doing was wrong?
Great point… it’s so messy hey. But I guess the question is if you go down that route, do you totally erase culpability? I think there’s a difference between self destructive behaviour (i.e. substance abuse) and behaviour that harms others (i.e. stalking) and it’s interesting that most media reports don’t distinguish between the two. But 100% that’s why intervention and treatment for drug and alcohol problems are so important, because of the negative outcomes they lead to, for the person involved and the people around them. Thanks for reading!!!
The double standards are painful. Do they really mean to say that men who respect women and have not been in court because of how poorly they have treated women are in short supply in entertainment?
Conor McGregor was literally wiped from Irish media and commerce after it was found he had raped a woman violently (in a civil case). Pubs painted over his mural, liquor companies dissolved partnerships, and in case Channel 7 is wondering, he will not be appearing on the Irish version of Dancing with the stars. Nor does he have a radio contract.
Most nice Irish people think he is vile. Someone to be ashamed of, not looked up to.
In fact it was long tweeted that this civil case was one of potentially many allegedly possibly (Crossed fingers)
Ultimately, Channel Seven is responding to whatever is popular. It bothers me, deeply, that such a history of DV does not keep someone from being popular in Australia today. We should all be ashamed of this.
I don’t disagree with you. But I think Clare’s argument was how women are eviscerated for minor infractions with little opportunity for redemption. And also, timing. IWD is not the day for Ch 7 to congratulate themselves for signing a convicted DV offender to such a public facing role.
Thank you for your article Clare, I have been quietly steaming with anger that a convicted criminal has been provided with a high profile media platform on national television despite his atrocious behaviour towards women.
How can being a convicted criminal, and guilty of DV EVER be acceptable to be employed in the media?
I even tried several times to post my 'dissatisfaction' on a number of media sites, News.com.au included, and the comments were rejected every time.
It seems that criminality is still rewarded with well paying national media opportunities if you are a high enough profile sports 'star'.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to rehabilitate, to heal and move on, but to then almost glorify him in this manner by awarding him a high profile national platform, dare I say, as a role model (I think I just vommed a little), is reprehensible.
Telling young people, and boys especially, that you can behave at least as badly as BC, and as long as you have an 'successful' sports career (and let's face it, some of which was possibly enhanced playing under the influence of meth), you will be rewarded with a media career once the dust settles, is beyond decency and comprehension.
Especially in light of the hypocrisy evident with Georgia Love's treatment. When will women be afforded the dignity and compassion men are in our society?
Thank you for your article Clare, I have been quietly steaming with anger that a convicted criminal has been provided with a high profile media platform on national television despite his atrocious behaviour towards women.
I even tried several times to post my 'dissatisfaction' on several media sites, News.com.au included, and the comments were rejected every time.
It seems that criminality is still rewarded with well paying national media opportunities if you are a high enough profile sports 'star'.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to rehabilitate, to heal and move on, but to then almost glorify him in this manner by awarding him a high profile national platform, dare I say, as a role model (I think I just vommed a little), is reprehensible.
Telling young people, and boys especially, that you can behave at least as badly as BC, and as long as you have a spectacular sports career (and let's face it, some of which was possibly enhanced playing under the influence of meth), you will be rewarded with a media career once the dust settles, is beyond decency and comprehension.
Especially in light of the hypocrisy evident with Georgia Love's treatment. When will women be afforded the dignity and compassion men are in our society?
Could not agree more, the things he said (not alleged because he was found guilty) were abhorrent and no human should be subjected to that. He can redeem off screen. He will never be not guilty, no matter how much redemption he does
This article is spot on. The only thing Channel 7 will listen to is $$$. Advertisers and viewers would need to demonstrate their disgust for any action to be taken to remove Cousins from this job.
They seem to take a perverse interest in horrible men.
Let me start by saying there’s no excuse for DV or rape…..unless you play footy.
Jarryd Hayne is another classic example - whenever anyone in the footy media speaks about him they refer to his “past indiscretions” - I have never heard anyone in rugby league ever refer to him as a sexual offender or a rape ist…..even though he committed the crime on 3 occasions that we know of….its just past indiscretions.
One note - you mentioned how you are prepared to give those recovering from drug addiction as many chances as it takes, it does terrible things to your brain - could it be that the stalking & harassment that led to the DV charges were a direct result of & ran in parallel to his drug addiction? Did one cause the other? If that’s a factor do you cut him some slack because his drug addiction screwed with his mind to a point where he didn’t think what he was doing was wrong?
Great point… it’s so messy hey. But I guess the question is if you go down that route, do you totally erase culpability? I think there’s a difference between self destructive behaviour (i.e. substance abuse) and behaviour that harms others (i.e. stalking) and it’s interesting that most media reports don’t distinguish between the two. But 100% that’s why intervention and treatment for drug and alcohol problems are so important, because of the negative outcomes they lead to, for the person involved and the people around them. Thanks for reading!!!
How is the talent pool so small that Channel 7 has to employ Ben Cousins? Surely there are better athletes more deserving to commentate.
Bang on!
Ya. Agree
The double standards are painful. Do they really mean to say that men who respect women and have not been in court because of how poorly they have treated women are in short supply in entertainment?
Conor McGregor was literally wiped from Irish media and commerce after it was found he had raped a woman violently (in a civil case). Pubs painted over his mural, liquor companies dissolved partnerships, and in case Channel 7 is wondering, he will not be appearing on the Irish version of Dancing with the stars. Nor does he have a radio contract.
Most nice Irish people think he is vile. Someone to be ashamed of, not looked up to.
In fact it was long tweeted that this civil case was one of potentially many allegedly possibly (Crossed fingers)
This could not be more spot on! Very well written! Exactly how so many people feel about this! 👏🏼
Thank you!
Ultimately, Channel Seven is responding to whatever is popular. It bothers me, deeply, that such a history of DV does not keep someone from being popular in Australia today. We should all be ashamed of this.
Very well said, I applaud you!!
This!!!!!! Yes !
I disagree - I think men needs role models of redemption and hope for change - otherwise why bother?
We want violent men to change - so is this not an example of that ?
I don’t disagree with you. But I think Clare’s argument was how women are eviscerated for minor infractions with little opportunity for redemption. And also, timing. IWD is not the day for Ch 7 to congratulate themselves for signing a convicted DV offender to such a public facing role.
💯This!!’
Thank you for your article Clare, I have been quietly steaming with anger that a convicted criminal has been provided with a high profile media platform on national television despite his atrocious behaviour towards women.
How can being a convicted criminal, and guilty of DV EVER be acceptable to be employed in the media?
I even tried several times to post my 'dissatisfaction' on a number of media sites, News.com.au included, and the comments were rejected every time.
It seems that criminality is still rewarded with well paying national media opportunities if you are a high enough profile sports 'star'.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to rehabilitate, to heal and move on, but to then almost glorify him in this manner by awarding him a high profile national platform, dare I say, as a role model (I think I just vommed a little), is reprehensible.
Telling young people, and boys especially, that you can behave at least as badly as BC, and as long as you have an 'successful' sports career (and let's face it, some of which was possibly enhanced playing under the influence of meth), you will be rewarded with a media career once the dust settles, is beyond decency and comprehension.
Especially in light of the hypocrisy evident with Georgia Love's treatment. When will women be afforded the dignity and compassion men are in our society?
Sickening.
So dismayed.
It's 2025. If not now, when?
Thank you for your article Clare, I have been quietly steaming with anger that a convicted criminal has been provided with a high profile media platform on national television despite his atrocious behaviour towards women.
I even tried several times to post my 'dissatisfaction' on several media sites, News.com.au included, and the comments were rejected every time.
It seems that criminality is still rewarded with well paying national media opportunities if you are a high enough profile sports 'star'.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to rehabilitate, to heal and move on, but to then almost glorify him in this manner by awarding him a high profile national platform, dare I say, as a role model (I think I just vommed a little), is reprehensible.
Telling young people, and boys especially, that you can behave at least as badly as BC, and as long as you have a spectacular sports career (and let's face it, some of which was possibly enhanced playing under the influence of meth), you will be rewarded with a media career once the dust settles, is beyond decency and comprehension.
Especially in light of the hypocrisy evident with Georgia Love's treatment. When will women be afforded the dignity and compassion men are in our society?
It's 2025.
If not now, when?
Thank you for your story Clare beautifully written! From an Outlouder xx
Maybe he will run for Prime Minister next! This seems to be the in thing!! 😡