A dispute over a Facebook post by radio newsreader Beth Rep was meant to end with an apology to transgender activist Bridget Clinch. Instead, the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal found the post and comments were “rude, offensive and unacceptable” and awarded Ms Clinch $10,000 in compensation.
Mediation led to Ms Rep posting an apology on her Facebook page in mid-2018 and paying Ms Clinch $700, but the post attracted 304 comments, many of which were offensive, and some of which were ‘liked’ by Ms Rep.
The tribunal heard Ms Rep, who works for 2CC, had described herself as a radical feminist who believed in resisting what she called aggressive trans activism.
She told the tribunal that while she was supportive of gender non-conformity, she was concerned about the impact of trans activism on women’s spaces, services and opportunities.
Ms Rep said the online exchange in March 2018 had become heated after a number of provocative and anti-feminist comments were posted.
Ms Rep also argued she did not deactivate the comments because it would be censorship, but Mr Meagher dismissed the argument.
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