Victorian MP Georgie Purcell has called out Nine News for photoshopping an image of her body in its news bulletin to enlarge her breasts and alter her outfit so it appeared more revealing.
The incident comes off the back of the Victorian government rejecting recommendations made in a 12-month inquiry into banning duck hunting in the state, a backflip Purcell publicly condemned on Monday.
Purcell, a Victorian government MP from the Animal Justice Party, posted a photo of Nine News’ edited image on X, as well as the original image.
“I endured a lot yesterday,” she wrote on X, “but having my body and outfit photoshopped by a media outlet was not on my bingo card.”
Purcell posted the images side by side to highlight the difference between the original image on the right and Nine News’ altered image on the left.
I endured a lot yesterday.
— Georgie Purcell (@georgievpurcell) January 29, 2024
But having my body and outfit photoshopped by a media outlet was not on my bingo card.
Note the enlarged boobs and outfit to be made more revealing.
Can’t imagine this happening to a male MP.
What gives? pic.twitter.com/NhnkDRMidc
In the altered image, Purcell has larger breasts and her outfit has been changed from a dress to a cropped two-piece outfit, making it more revealing than the original outfit.
“Can’t imagine this happening to a male MP,” Purcell said. “What gives?”
Later, Purcell added to her thread on X. “Hot tip 9 (News) – I’ve got my whole stomach tattooed.”
Nine News director Hugh Nailon has issued a statement apologising for the incident. He has cited artificial intelligence (AI) as the reason the image was altered, and claimed no staff member was involved.
“Our graphics department sourced an online image of Georgie to use in our story on duck hunting,” Nailon said.
“As is common practice, the image was resized to fit our specs. During that process, the automation by Photoshop created an image that was not consistent with the original.
“This did not meet the high editorial standards we have and for that we apologise to Ms Purcell unreservedly.”
‘Your body is always up for grabs.’
In a statement, Purcell said Monday was an extremely difficult day for her, especially after the photoshopped image of her body was aired on a major media outlet in Australia.
“It’s not abnormal for politicians to have catastrophic days at work. I’m not afraid to say yesterday was the worst I’ve had so far,” Purcell told Women’s Agenda.
“Unfortunately, the difference for women is that they also have to deal with the constant sexualisation and objectification that comes with having images leaked, distorted and AI generated.
“Let’s be clear – this is not something that happens to my male colleagues.”
Purcell said this incident shows just how common it is for women’s bodies to be sexualised by the media and beyond.
“The message this sends to young women and girls across Victoria is that even at the top of your field, your body is always up for grabs,” she said. “And as expected this edited image has already been weaponized by shooters to spread hateful and violent messages.”
Nine News has told Purcell they will investigate the incident.
“For now, at least I know what I’d look like with a boob job and chiselled abs,” she said.
Duck hunting in Victoria
On Monday, the Victorian government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, rejected recommendations from a year-long inquiry into duck shooting. It is still legal to practice duck hunting as a sport in the state, as well in South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
The inquiry received more than 10,500 submissions, which exceeded the record for a Victorian parliamentary inquiry and demonstrates the level of interest the divisive issue has in the state.
In August last year, the Labor-led committee handed down its recommendation to ban the sport in Victoria, which was rejected by the Labor government as of Monday morning.
Purcell spoke to several media outlets on Monday and posted on her social media accounts, expressing her anger and disappointment in the government.
“Jacinta Allan’s Labor government just put its seal of approval on the continued massacre of native wildlife,” Purcell wrote on X.
“Duck shooting will go on despite the primary recommendation from their own inquiry.
“It’s a disgrace, and it’s the end of our good faith relationship.”