Australian Paper Removes Rebel Wilson Column, Writer Admits “Mistakes”

deadline.com:

Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald over the weekend faced criticism for its reporting on the revelation of actress Rebel Wilson’s new romantic relationship.

Although the paper’s editor initially defended the outlet’s actions, the offending column has since been removed and its writer has apologized.Wilson on Friday posted a selfie with partner Ramona Agruma on Instagram.

She wrote, “I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess.”A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson)The social media post was met with an outpouring of well-wishes, but it was later revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald that the paper knew about the relationship before Wilson went public.

In a “Private Sydney” column posted on Saturday (and since removed), the SMH‘s Andrew Hornery wrote, “It was with an abundance of caution and respect that this media outlet emailed Rebel Wilson’s representatives on Thursday morning, giving her two days to comment on her new relationship with LA leisure wear designer Ramona Agruma, before publishing a single word.”Hornery went on to criticize Wilson, saying she instead “opted to gazump the story,” adding that “her choice to ignore our discreet, genuine and honest queries was, in our view, underwhelming”.In response to a subsequent Twitter post by 10 News journalist Kate Doak that said it wasn’t Wilson’s choice to come out, the actress wrote it was “a very hard situation but trying to handle it with grace.”Thanks for your comments, it was a very hard situation but trying to handle it with grace