Sam Armytage story: We need to stop reading Daily Mail Australia’s tripe

Samantha Armytage on the set of Sunrise.

Daily Mail Australia has been subject to a barrage of outrage on social media this week, and rightly so.

It ran yet another vitriolic article on Sam Armytage, featuring paparazzi photos of the Sunrise presenter out shopping in a black and white dress, with the outline of her underwear visible from behind (shock horror).

​“Sunrise host Sam Armytage dares to bare with granny panties showing a visible line as she steps out in Sydney ... after slamming rumours she’s dating Channel Seven colleagues,” read the headline.

Anyone who works in the media will know that this photograph would have been emailed through to the newsroom in a set. I bet you anything that this was the most unflattering of the bunch. It’s hard to see this as anything other than a blatant attempt at shaming Armytage.

There would have been many lovely shots of the presenter, but they wouldn’t have made a click-worthy story, would they?

Seven’s lawyers are on the case, and Daily Mail Australia have since issued an apology, stating: “An earlier version of this story contained critical statements regarding Samantha Armytage’s appearance. While the story has since been amended, we apologise for any distress caused to Ms Armytage or readers more generally.”

I hope @sam_armytage still sues that disgusting rag because unless there is a financial cost they will continue this crap

— Ray Mason (@mullewalad) December 13, 2016

But the story remains up and original social media posts referring to Armytage’s “giant granny panties”.

So what can we do when we see articles like this pop up online?

The journalist who penned the article, Max Margan, has been attacked on social media. While I accept that he must take responsibility, realistically we should be looking to editor Luke McIlveen, who steers direction of the newsroom.

I thought this 'headline' was from @theonion. F Me. This trash must stop. I'm so sorry you have to put up with this @sam_armytage . pic.twitter.com/Rxhk7donz4

— Jane Kennedy (@Jane_L_Kennedy) December 12, 2016

We should be asking him why one of his journalists was asked to write this article in the first place.

Ultimately, much of the responsibility lies on us, the readers. We need to stop reading this tripe, whether it be for guilty pleasure or outrage.

By clicking on or sharing the link, we are just encouraging Daily Mail Australia. Clicks drive traffic to their website. High traffic drives up advertising costs.

As the company is a digital-only product, advertising is its bread and butter.

If we never clicked on hideous stories like this one on Sam Armytage, they wouldn’t be written in the first place.

Take a look at the headline, assess whether it’s worth your time, and move on.