Lateline’s leading lady won’t toe Aunty’s line on gay marriage

ABC journalist Emma Alberici. Photo: Jono Searle

Sky News journalist Caroline Marcus bags the yes campaign in The Daily Telegraph, yesterday:

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

So ABC Lateline host Emma Alberici decides to start a Twitter fight, yesterday:

Says she’ll vote NO to prove a point WTF? Ignores own colleagues at @SkyNews who call those against #SSM bigots …

Despite ABC News’ editorial policy manager Mark Maley telling staff to be impartial in the same-sex marriage campaign. His email to staff, August 10:

Please remember that approximately 40 per cent of the population opposes the change and more importantly that the ABC does not have a position on the issue.

Marcus didn’t say she would choose no in a same-sex marriage vote at all. The Daily Telegraph, yesterday:

Now, I say this as someone who is sympathetic to the same-sex marriage cause, someone already mentally planning the outfits that’ll be best to tear up the dance floor at the fabulous future weddings of her gay friends.

Alberici says she was just defending LGBTI kids. Twitter, yesterday:

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

She failed to mention them in her attack on Marcus. Alberici on Twitter, a few hours before:

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.

Sky News journalist Caroline Marcus. Photo: John Fotiadis

Maley really needs to have a wee sit-down with Alberici. The ABC editorial policy chief’s email to staff, August 10:

In this charged environment I would also urge everyone to be circumspect on social media … The more high-profile you are the more important discretion is.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott backs Marcus on Twitter, yesterday:

I see the usual suspects are having a go at @carolinemarcus. Good on her for resisting bullies.

Leaving yourself open there, Tony. The Australian’s Peter van Onselen replies to Abbott on Twitter, yesterday:

Chris Mitchell did the same for me and others at the Aust when the PMO tried to get us sacked for offering opinions on poor politicking …

Comedian Tim Minchin had his own “deplorables” moment with his silly new jingle. August 11:

I still call Australia home … ophobic.

The Australian’s Chris Kenny tries to understand Minchin on Twitter, August 12:

I just wanna know why you think your fellow Aussies are homophobic and “a little bit racist”. In my experience that’s not so.

Minchin replies. Twitter, August 13:

Be worth listening to it again, Chris. I comment on our international reputation for being a bit racist, I don’t assert it myself.

Oh that’s fine then … Marcus in The Daily Telegraph, yesterday:

They (yes supporters) certainly aren’t doing anything but strengthening the resolve of the one in four already against gay marriage, nor are they likely to tip the 13 per cent on the fence to their side.