Get with the times! Media Watch host Paul Barry causes outrage with ‘shameful’ Caitlyn Jenner comment

WHAT the hell was he thinking? Media Watch host Paul Barry has sparked a Twitter storm with an offensive and outdated remark about Caitlyn Jenner.

Host of Media Watch, Paul Barry heading arriving at the ABC after lunch, 19 March, 2014. Pic - Sam Mooy

IT’S the sort of insensitive comment that he might highlight and ridicule on his ABC television show.

But it was Paul Barry himself in the firing line. The Media Watch host sparked a Twitter storm with an offensive remark about Caitlyn Jenner, just one day after her groundbreaking Vanity Fair cover and gender transition was revealed.

Under attack ... ABC star Paul Barry has taken a shot at the media coverage of Caitlyn Jenner’s transition — remarks that caused a Twitter storm. Picture: Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair

“FFS, why do I have to keep (not) reading stories about Bruce Jenner,” the polarising TV personality posted on the social media site, referring to Caitlyn’s former identity.

“Why in heaven’s name is he such big news?”

It didn’t take long for Twitter users to point out that insensitively referring to Caitlyn as “Bruce” and “he” is offensive.

@TheRealPBarry *Catiyln Jenner. Probably a big deal for trans people who don't get much media attention & are treated like they're invisible

— Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10) June 3, 2015

.@TheRealPBarry Transgender people have among the highest suicide rates in our community. Visibility is important. It is big news for many.

— Jill Stark (@jillastark) June 3, 2015

@wombat1974 @TheRealPBarry Cannot believe you have to explain this to an actual journalist

— Dr Yobbo (@DrYobbo) June 3, 2015

@jillastark @TheRealPBarry Seriously, Paul? Her name is Caitlyn. If News showed this kind of insensitivity/ignorance, you would savage them.

— Fergus Hunter (@fergushunter) June 3, 2015

well, sort of because those stories are an attempt to educate people out of the kind of misgendering you're doing here @TheRealPBarry

— eleanor robertson (@marrowing) June 3, 2015

@TheRealPBarry you're sounding rather dated there Paul.

— Michael Ramsey (@mramsey37) June 3, 2015

.@TheRealPBarry check your privilege

— Shane Bazzi (@shanebazzi) June 3, 2015

.@TheRealPBarry Two of our young trans volunteers wrote about why Caitlyn is so significant. You should have a read. https://t.co/I0riXOHsnZ

— Minus18 (@minus18youth) June 3, 2015

The host seemed unrepentant, saying he still couldn’t understand the level of media coverage.

But Barry, who’s paid almost $200,000 to host 15 minutes of TV each week, was very quick in his attempt to change the subject, blasting out a succession of unrelated Tweets.

Get with it ... Twitter users were quick to educate Paul Barry after his offensive remark. Picture: Nowytarger Renee

Jenner’s transition and public discussion of the various issues facing transgender people has been applauded by advocates as a significant move for the community.