Sam Newman accused of sexually harassing journalist live on air
Sam Newman has been accused of sexually harassing Herald-Sun journalist Susie O’Brien during Thursday night’s AFL Footy Show.
Just minutes into the program, Newman resurrected his long-standing feud with O’Brien.
He rudely suggested she is unlikely to need the #MeToo movement, because she isn’t attractive enough.
Newman made the comments on International Women’s Day.
Sam Newman makes sexist comments
Newman told the live TV audience that he arouses O’Brien when she writes about him.
In addition, he described her as “delusional” and “obsessed”.
The topic of O’Brien came up when Eddie McGuire mentioned Newman’s intention to run for Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
“Even your nemesis at the The Herald-Sun, Susie O’Brien, is writing that it could well be conceivable that you could be the next Lord Mayor of Melbourne,” McGuire said.
“I reckon that woman gets aroused when she writes about me,” Newman replied.
“I am keeping her in business, and I reckon she secretly wishes I would chat her up.”
Co-host Rebecca Maddern cut in, “I don’t think so”.
Newman added, “I don’t think she has ever got to worry about the #MeToo movement because I don’t think that will ever visit her.”
McGuire quickly cut him off.
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Viewers disgusted
Meanwhile, the comments sent Twitter into meltdown, with viewers expressing their disgust.
@smorganism
Two minutes in to the AFL footy show and Sam Newman decides its time to suggest @susieob couldn’t have a #metoo moment, in the most derogatory way. Typical Neanderthal shit, from a prehistoric halfwit. No surprise he thinks Trump is so brilliant.
@khaleesi81
Disgusting comments from Sam Newman….and on International Woman’s Day!!
@andrekewl
Sam Newman. Wow @SunFootyShow. Been on 5 min. Already abusing woman
@tom12rennie
Sam Newman should not be given a platform to speak. He is a horrible person.
Journalist Susie O’Brien. Sexually harassed on live TV.
O’Brien responds with blistering article
As a result, O’Brien hit back with a blistering article in the The Herald-Sun on Friday titled:
“I just got sexually harassed on live TV on International Women’s Day”.
O’Brien writes that she has no problem with Newman attacking her, but does take issue with him bringing her gender into his remarks.
“Such sexual comments have been used by men to put women in their place for years…
“When a women gets too opinionated or successful, some men use her appearance or body shape to bring her down a peg or two.
“It may come as a surprise to him, but I do manage to write about him without getting aroused.
“And I am in a very happy relationship, so don’t particularly want him to chat me up.”
O’Brien has previously described Newman as:
- a “sexist seventy year-old with the face of a schoolboy and the maturity to match”,
- a “geriatric man baby”
- and a man “past his amuse-by-date”.
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