Today host Lisa Wilkinson blasts media for ‘lies’ about Karl Stefanovic’s marriage split

TODAY’S Lisa Wilkinson has blasted the media over its treatment of her co-host, Karl Stefanovic, after the very public breakown of his marriage.

TODAY presenter Lisa Wilkinson has blasted the tabloids for their treatment of her co-host Karl Stefanovic, amid the breakdown of his 21-year marriage to Cassandra Thorburn.

In a podcast with Mamamia’s Mia Freedman, Wilkinson, 56, broke her silence on the media storm that’s enveloped 42-year-old Stefanovic since news broke of the split in September.

“There’s a lot of rubbish out there at the moment, a lot of lies,” she told Freedman.

“Lies that are published without any regard to the fact that there’s human beings involved, that there are children involved.”

Stefanovic and Thorburn have three kids together: Jackson, 16, Ava, 11, and River, 10.

Wilkinson also cited unmoderated comments sections on websites as a factor in making the situation worse.

“And my disgust, my growing disgust, for the people in charge of those magazines and those websites, right now makes me so angry,” she said.

“My anger knows no bounds over that, and I feel very protective toward the people involved. But you don’t want to give it oxygen.”

Despite that, Wilkinson can’t help but notice the extensive coverage.

“It’s been really interesting, looking at weekly women’s magazines and seeing the way they operate in 2016, and seeing some of the online sites, and the complete lies they are happy to write,” she said.

“I am disgusted with some sections of the media at the moment.”

It comes as the woman who was rumoured to be Stefanovic’s new girlfriend has spoken out for the first time, denying the claims and revealing she’s engaged to another man.

Melbourne food blogger Sofia Levin, 27, broke her silence after New Idea claimed the pair had become close after she appeared on Today in September.

“It’s not true at all, we’re just friends,” she told Woman’s Day.

“We’re just mates and have stayed in contact since that shoot [on Today].”

Sofia’s fiance Matt even chimed in, explaining that they’re “all friends”.

“I’ve hung out with Karl and Sofia together,” he told the publication.

It follows reports in New Idea that Stefanovic had developed a crush on Sofia after meeting her, claiming he “loves how free and easy Sofia is” and hoped their friendship could “grow into something more”.

Stefanovic is yet to comment on the split, though his estranged wife spoke out last month.

In a Facebook post, Thorburn acknowledged Today’s ratings success and detailed the role she’d played in getting it there.

“Apparently Today finally won a year,” she wrote.

“This took a huge toll on my family and I, and I’m congratulating myself today for all the effort that went into making that happen.”

Thorburn, 44, also noted the creative and editorial input she’d had on Today, as well as the support she’s given her husband at home.

“The suggestions, the story ideas, the constant counselling of questions for years,” she added. “I’m giving myself a pat on the back tonight, as I know many people will also know how much effort I put into it.”