Sport
1News

Aussie broadcaster apologises for deleting picture of female AFL player due to trolls

March 20, 2019
AFLW player Tayla Harris kicks the ball for Carlton Blues.

An Australian sports broadcaster has apologised for "sending the wrong message" when they deleted a picture of a female AFL player due to comments made about it by internet trolls.

Channel 7 posted a picture of Carlton Blues AFLW star Tayla Harris kicking in her latest match against the Western Bulldogs to their Twitter account but the image was soon taken down due to "inappropriate and offensive" comments.

"Recently we published an image of AFLW player Tayla Harris. The original purpose in publishing the image was to celebrate the power, athleticism and skills on show in Calrton's thrilling win over the Western Bulldogs," the message read.

"The image attracted a number of comments, some of which were inappropriate and offensive. As a consequence we have removed the image and the comments."

The picture showed Harris at full stretch as she followed through a kick.

Channel 7's AFL Twitter account was quick to reupload the image though after copping backlash for giving in to trolls and taking the easy road.

"Deleting the post is giving in to trolls," fellow AFLW player Darcy Vescio said.

"Also, you’re eliminating all the positive conversation. Also, you’re removing more content around women in sport - which there’s already so little of."

Channel 7 apologised for deleting the picture.

"We're sorry. Removing the photo sent the wrong message," they wrote in the caption of the reinstated image.

"Many of the comments made on the post were reprehensible & we'll work harder to ban trolls from our pages.

"Our intention was to highlight Harris' incredible athleticism & we'll continue to celebrate women's footy."

The player at the centre of the saga, Harris, didn't respond to Channel 7's handling of the situation but did take time to address the trolls who had commented on the photo of her.

Carlton won the match 41-38, meaning they'll now play Fremantle on Saturday for a spot in the AFLW Grand Final.

SHARE ME

More Stories