World savages SMH editor’s defence of Rebel Wilson ‘outing’ controversy

An “editor’s note” justifying the SMH’s actions in covering Rebel Wilson’s same-sex relationship has backfired, causing a new wave of outrage.

Sydney Morning Herald editor Bevan Shields issued a note to readers following widespread outrage over an article about actress Rebel Wilson’s sexuality.

But Shields’ explanation has done little to quell the furore, instead leading to a new wave of international backlash about the paper’s actions in handling news of Wilson’s first same-sex relationship.

Gossip columnist Andrew Hornery revealed in his Saturday column that Pitch Perfect star Wilson, who had publicly revealed she’s in a relationship with a woman the day before, only did so after he emailed her team questions about her relationship with LA fashion designer Romana Agruma.

Hornery said he gave the Aussie star 48 hours to respond to his email – which he called a “big mistake,” because she then revealed the news of the relationship via her Instagram account instead.

Rebel came out last week following questions from the SMH about her relationship with Ramona Agruma (left). Picture: WireImage

SMH editor Bevan Shields argued their coverage was ‘not a standard news story’. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

This sparked a global backlash, as many on social media fumed at the implication Hornery was planning to “out” Wilson – and his apparent belief that he had ownership over her story in the first place.

Shields, who has been in the editor’s seat since December last year, stepped in on Sunday with a note to readers – but it wasn’t the apology many were expecting.

Shields declared that Hornery’s piece was “not a standard news story” and insisted “that the Herald’s decision about what to do would have been informed by any response Wilson supplied” – this despite Hornery himself calling it a “big mistake” to have even given her a heads up before publishing.

As the SMH outing controversy enters its third day, many are unhappy with Shields’ response to the scandal, among them several high-profile Australians:

Bevan
Your paper has no god-given right to know anything about the private life of anyone
I don’t claim to speak on behalf of Rebel Wilson
But for LGBTQIA+ people the consequences of what is nothing more than a hissy fit over who gets to print gossip can have devastating effects https://t.co/mzrpHTsoU5

— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) June 13, 2022

Bevan, reading this response slowed down my central nervous system. How you brought yourself to publish this is beyond me but I hope there’s at least one thing in your life that you’re more genuine and honest about.

— Kirsty Webeck (@KirstyWebeck) June 12, 2022

https://t.co/H5lOiuFQdI Bevan justifying his actions, again.

— Cheryl Kernot (@cheryl_kernot) June 12, 2022

Bevan, I’d LOVE to live in a world where dating a man & dating a woman come with the same social, political, and career-related reaction. We don’t. Straight people may not understand how LOADED disclosing orientation can be. Happy pride. https://t.co/ObDye8NS4x

— Amanda Deibert🏳️‍🌈🌻🌻 (@amandadeibert) June 13, 2022

One thing is for sure about this whole sorry saga…it will be discussed in journalism courses for decades to come. The ethics of it, the intention, the response, the power and gender dynamics, the lack of apology https://t.co/b9qbyzDMq5

— Nikki Gemmell (@NikkiGemmell) June 12, 2022

I dunno, if you have to write two articles justifying why you outed someone against their will, maybe you're the bad guy? https://t.co/xuLLroQFvH

— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) June 12, 2022

Please stop this. You do not have a right. You are not equal in this. This is not your story. You are not the aggrieved party. So apparently if Rebel’s partner was a man you would’ve asked the same question? Her partner is not a man and therefore this is a coming out story. https://t.co/HpCzdGFqgn

— Steve Dimopoulos MP (@Steve_Dimo) June 12, 2022

That awkward moment your best defence against your threat to out someone is *we hadn’t even decided if we were going to out her or not yet, but that dang woman gazumped us* https://t.co/FHqjVuGIz8

— Emeline Gaske (@emelinegaske) June 12, 2022

I am struggling to wrap my head around The Sydney Morning Herald’s reporting on Rebel Wilson.

Effectively forcing her to come out, and then doubling down on their coverage.

They’ve shown no understanding of the pressures and stress of coming out.

Frankly, it’s shameful. https://t.co/Uuh3CGb8o5

— Andrew Macfarlane (@andrewmacfnz) June 12, 2022

Bevan Shields could have publicly apologised to Rebel Wilson, but instead he doubled down on why he oversaw the exploitation of her sexuality and gross invasion of her privacy.

— Emma (@emma__jayne14) June 12, 2022

Respectfully, Bevan, it would’ve been better to say nothing than to write a response simply arguing that your masthead didn’t “out” Rebel, which is precisely what your masthead did. https://t.co/Ugxg4f1w2Q

— lavender baj (@lavosaurus) June 12, 2022

Correct Bevan, the Herald didn't 'out' Wilson because she was forced by the Herald to do it herself.

Because of the actions of the Herald, Wilson did not have the chance to exercise one of the rights LGBTQI+ people have always asked for: the right to come out on their own terms https://t.co/9xWk8cAFBzpic.twitter.com/zC8Dl6rPTD

— Connor Wherrett (@CSWherrett) June 12, 2022

Wilson herself has only offered one brief public comment about the furore, responding to one supporter on Twitter who called out the SMH’s handling of the story.

Wilson wrote that it had been “a very hard situation” but that she was “trying to handle it with grace”.

She and Agruma had been privately dating for several months, and had appeared in public together at several high-profile events including the Vanity Fair Oscars party in March. It is understood to be Wilson’s first same-sex relationship.