ABC host Virginia Trioli slams The Age for running a reader letter attacking the appearance of female weather presenters

A major newspaper is in hot water for publishing a titbit about female television personalities that’s been labelled sexist and “gross”.

A newspaper has apologised for publishing a reader letter about the appearances of female weather presenters that’s been described as sexist and “gross”.

Today’s edition of The Age in Melbourne featured an unpleasant letter to the editor in the Green Guide, which is the television supplement.

Titled ‘Weather change’ and authored by a person named Margaret Skeen from Point Lonsdale in Victoria, it took aim at the appearances of female weather segment presenters.

“Am I seeing things?” it began.

“A lovely natural young woman, not a bottle blonde with eyelash extensions or rounded cleavage presenting the weather forecast for ABC News?

“Welcome Georgie Tunny – a breath of fresh air, with plenty of sunshine.”

RELATED: 7.30 host Leigh Sales shares sickening abuse sent to her after Scott Morrison interview

An unpleasant reader letter published in The Age today attacking the appearance of female weather presenters.

Virginia Trioli, who presents ABC Radio Melbourne’s morning program and is a regular fixture on the public broadcaster’s screens, took exception to the letter.

Trioli took to Twitter to share her outrage, especially at the Green Guide’s editor Paul Kalina.

“The kind of letter that (The Age) Green Guide sees fit to publish – because you can simply NEVER talk too much about how women on TV look,” she wrote.

“For God’s sake (Paul Kalina) – grow up.”

The response from Trioli’s followers was a mix of shock and outrage, with the letter described as sexist, an example of internalised misogyny and “objectifying”.

In a statement to news.com.au, Gay Alcorn, editor of The Age, apologised.

“It was an inappropriate letter that should not have been published,” Alcorn said. “We apologise to our readers and Ms Tunny.”

Virginia Trioli.

Georgie Tunny. Picture: Tony Gough

In recent years, women working in media have used social media to share some of the vile correspondence they cop from viewers and readers, including about their appearance.

Among them is respected journalist Leigh Sales, host of the flagship current affairs program 7.30 on the ABC, who is regularly attacked, especially after interviews with high-profile guests like Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

She most recently shared a large collection of the “sexualised abuse” thrown her way.

“As I sometimes do to keep a spotlight on this, I just spent a few minutes collecting a fraction of the sexualised abuse I get every time I interview a Prime Minister,” Sales said at the time.

“Female politicians, journalists, public figures get this non-stop.”

Georgie Tunny also regularly appears on the popular ABC News Breakfast program. Picture: Supplied

Trioli too has received her fair share of offensive letters from viewers, which she has shared publicly, including one in 2014 requesting she be given a makeover.

“I felt I had to write as you are definitely in need of a makeover,” that letter read.

“Please cut your hair short. Get rid of those straggly bits around your neck, and maybe a few highlights!”

She shared another more recently from 2018 that criticised the placement of her hands while on-air, which the man thought she was moving too much.

“Watching you has been very off-putting and several of my friends say they cannot watch you at all,” he wrote. “You have a nice smile and voice, so please, just keep your hands still.”

Originally published as ABC host Virginia Trioli slams The Age for running a reader letter attacking the appearance of female weather presenters