Opinion: Nine’s doctored image of Victorian MP Georgie Purcell shows sexism is alive and well

Nine has blamed graphic design software for enhancing a female MP’s breasts – so we took it to the test with some big-name politicians.

Whether it’s the product of a graphics department weirdo or an AI-generated piece of good ol’ fashioned objectification, a female Victorian MP has rightly taken aim at media company Nine after it aired an image of her seemingly altered to make her breasts bigger.

Animal Justice Party crossbencher Georgie Purcell shared a Nine News graphic on X, formerly Twitter, which appeared to have added a cropped section to her dress, exposing part of her stomach.

Ms Purcell also claimed the doctored image had “enlarged” her breasts.

“Can’t imagine this happening to a male MP,” she wrote.

In a statement, 9News Melbourne director Hugh Nailon apologised for the Photoshop fail, blaming AI automation for the “graphic error”.

But mysteriously, Photoshop’s generative fill AI option doesn’t seem to be inclined to increase a boob or two or bare extra skin.

I endured a lot yesterday.

But having my body and outfit photoshopped by a media outlet was not on my bingo card.

Note the enlarged boobs and outfit to be made more revealing.

Can’t imagine this happening to a male MP.

What gives? pic.twitter.com/NhnkDRMidc

— Georgie Purcell (@georgievpurcell) January 29, 2024

As a thought experiment, we decided to see what the AI feature would spit out if asked to alter an image of a local politician – Premier Peter Malinauskas.

We decided to ask for the most egregious possible change to the premier’s outfit. But even when asked to simply replace his shirt with an Adelaide Crows guernsey, all Photoshop offered was a different poorly fitted flanno or, naturally, a platter of birds.

When we asked AI to remove his shirt altogether, it refused.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has accused Nine Entertainment of photoshopping her image to enlarge her breasts and expose her stomach.

Even if the Purcell photo was a product of bad AI, Photoshop offers you three choices for your image. That image then would have been checked by both a graphics team and producer before going to air.

No matter which way you swing it, a human either directly or indirectly approved the doctored picture.

On Tuesday, Adobe itself weighed in on the controversy and raised scepticism over Nine’s explanation, saying any changes to the image “would have required human intervention and approval”.

Ms Purcell said it was not unusual for politicians to have “catastrophic days at work” – but unlike their male counterparts, female candidates also have to deal with constant sexualisation and objectification.

“Let’s be clear – this is not something that happens to my male colleagues. The message this sends to young women and girls across Victoria is that even at the top of your field, your body is always up for grabs,” she said.

Earlier this week, X blocked searches for pop megastar Taylor Swift after AI “deepfakes” of the singer in the nude were spread across the internet.

Adobe Photoshop’s generative AI feature was happy to add clothing to South Australian Premier Peter Malinasukas’ famous shirtless photo op that opened the last state election campaign.

It was less willing to put the Port Adelaide fan in a "Crows singlet", instead conjuring up whatever this is.

Oh no! AI automation accidentally turned the PM into a sassy Victorian-era woman.

And this is what happens when you ask it to give former US President Donald Trump a mohawk.

This is a woman whose influence is so powerful it impacts the economies of entire countries, yet she is still reduced to just a body for online freaks’ own manipulation.

It has been almost 12 years since former Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s searing misogyny speech – although somewhat politically expedient – opened up the dialogue about the sexist treatment of female leaders.

But Ms Purcell’s doctored image is a stark reminder that we really haven’t come that far at all.

For decades, the mere act of being a woman in power – particularly for women of colour – has come with the burden of toxic, deeply personal misogynistic attacks.

When the Barbie movie was released (another apt piece of pop culture, with its female director recently missing out on a best director nod at the Oscars), some criticism was levelled at the film’s main monologue for being “basic” as a piece of feminism.

But when major news outlets are still Photoshopping a professional politician’s tummy and TaTas, perhaps “basic” feminism is just what the doctor ordered.

Originally published as Opinion: Nine’s doctored image of Victorian MP Georgie Purcell shows sexism is alive and well