Caroline Marcus, Emma Alberici in Twitter debate over same-sex marriage plebiscite

TWO of the nation’s most renowned journalists were embroiled in a spat over same-sex marriage, with accusations of ‘bullying’.

Lateline host Emma Alberici has fired up at a fellow journalist on Twitter.

AN ONLINE debate between two high-profile journalists has led to accusations of bullying over same-sex marriage and drawn in the former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.

The spat began when Daily Telegraph columnist and Sky News reporter Caroline Marcus published an opinion piece arguing gay marriage advocates are helping encourage a “no vote” in the upcoming plebiscite by using “dirty tricks”.

Entitled “Gay marriage activists are pushing many like me to ‘No’ column” Marcus wrote advocates are helping “strengthen the resolve” of those already against gay marriage.

“If gay marriage advocates and their media allies want to see the “No” vote triumph in the plebiscite, they’re going about it in exactly the right way,” she wrote.

 Read more: First interfaith marriage of Jewish woman and Hindu woman held in the UK

Daily Telegraph columnist Caroline Marcus. Picture: John Fotiadis

Today's @dailytelegraph column: SSM tricks from campaigners and their media allies will push "yes" voters away. pic.twitter.com/ABXwrQPp1H

— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) August 14, 2017

“Have they really learned nothing from Brexit and Hillary “Basket of Deplorables” Clinton?”

Marcus said while she is “sympathetic” to same-sex marriage, “activists are almost sure to push many like me into the negative column.”

She said Lateline host Emma Alberici was one of the “worst offenders” for “breathlessly accosting Finance Minister Mathias Cormann” in an interview about a child who had been turfed out of home for coming out to his family.

But Alberici wasn’t taking the criticism lying down, sparking heated debate between the pair including accusations of bullying on both sides.

The Lateline host said it was “not very intellectually robust” to say that equality supporters were pushing advocates to vote “no” in the plebiscite.

It led Peter van Onselen to weigh in against Marcus’ position, while Daily Telegraph writer Miranda Devine accused Alberici of “bullying”.

Not very intellectually robust to say people who argue for equality are "pushing" you to vote otherwise but do explain how I've misread that https://t.co/lIwlJBd9Hg

— Emma Alberici (@albericie) August 14, 2017

Says she'll vote NO to prove a point WTF? Ignores own colleagues at @SkyNews who call those against #SSM bigots ping @vanOnselenP 👏🏻 👌🏻 https://t.co/lIwlJBd9Hg

— Emma Alberici (@albericie) August 14, 2017

That's NOT what I said. I said such tactics are pushing many like me away.
Your misrepresenting me is further proof of your bias, though. https://t.co/e6r4cj3Gp2

— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) August 14, 2017

Great, then explain again where I said I'd be voting "No"? https://t.co/Up7xqddXaz

— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) August 14, 2017

.@mirandadevine I agree with you @carolinemarcus is a bully

— Emma Alberici (@albericie) August 15, 2017

Marcus hit back she was making a point that people are “sick of being told how to think” and that being called a bully was a “disgusting accusation to make”.

Alberici also expressed incredulity at being “labelled a bully” after “asking a question about the vulnerability of young gay and lesbian Australians.”

Meanwhile other high-profile members of the public and media weighed in.

Oh PVO, do keep up.
I've been through this with Emma already. This isn't about me, nor spite, but people sick of being told how to think. https://t.co/sDrxKwrUbD

— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) August 14, 2017

Who have I bullied Emma? That's a disgusting accusation to make. https://t.co/VtyKpUjfoE

— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) August 15, 2017

I see the usual suspects are having a go at @carolinemarcus. Good on her for resisting bullies. https://t.co/Y7lGr8WAzh

— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) August 15, 2017

Asking a question about the vulnerability of young gay & lesbian Australians has seen me labelled an activist bully. Seriously

— Emma Alberici (@albericie) August 15, 2017

Entirely agree.@albericie a fine journalist, and a credit to the craft. https://t.co/5j3K0zx4u8

— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) August 15, 2017

This story's absurd. I also don't understand @carolinemarcus logic. Her tweets trying to explain make no sense to me. How is this bullying?! https://t.co/Hq0cuY9Uyp

— Dan Nolan (@Dan_Nolan9) August 15, 2017

That is not appropriate. People are free to speak, and exercise their view. Respect always goes both ways.

— Tim Wilson MP (@timwilsoncomau) August 15, 2017

The debate comes after the ABC reminded staff to remain balanced in coverage of the same-sex marriage plebiscite.

Editorial policy manager Mark Maley wrote that “language is important” and warned against social media debate.

“In this charged environment I would also urge everyone to be circumspect on social media — advocating for one side or the other will make it more difficult for the ABC to be seen as impartial. The more high-profile you are the more important discretion is,” he wrote.

The Daily Telegraph is also owned by News Corp Australia, publisher of News.com.au