“Hang your heads in shame”: Channel Seven comes under fire
Channel Seven has been accused of promoting bullying behaviour after last night’s shocking episode of My Kitchen Rules.
After months of promos teasing the MKR scandal, more than 1.6 million viewers tuned in last night to see the appalling verbal attacks Sonya and Hadil to rival team, Jess and Emma.
The NSW best friends also threated several of the other contestants, pointing fingers and yelling: “We’ll come for you ... don’t you worry.”
Sonya and Hadil were finally excused from the able by judge Manu Feildel, but many viewers expressed how the behaviour should never had gone that far, criticising the network for exploiting bullying behaviour for ratings.
Viewers also took the social media to callout Channel Seven for being hypocritical after Sunrise launched an anti-bullying campaign earlier this year called “Beat The Bullies” with the aim to “fight for a change in policy and behaviours”.
Hang your heads in shame @Channel7
Hypocrites in endless plugs of their support to end bullying and they put #mkr on.
Wow!! Low act guys, lowest of acts— Jorjah⚘Mac (@jorjah_mac) April 18, 2018
SHAME ON YOU @Channel7 for letting this happening on @mykitchenrules! Two ladies just bullying to others & name calling! That’s disgusting behaviour to be shown on television! No one should be BULLIED! Manu & Peter didn’t really do anything! That’s so disgusting! #MKR
— David Grant (@deeigrant) April 18, 2018
What gets me is that @sunriseon7 and @Channel7 are all on the anti bullying bandwagon but yet their primetime shows promoted the bullying as a something to watch #mkr
— Daniel Rose (@dgr_dgr) April 18, 2018
When we are telling adults and children that bullying is not ok..@Channel7 is rewarding it..#MyKitchenRules #mkr #ch7 #ruok
— tracey (@bailsrus) April 18, 2018
So far I’m really disappointed with the lack of action from other teams and especially Manu and Pete (&producers) for allowing this nastiness go as far as it has. @Channel7 #sun7 are supposed to be anti bullying campaigners. Ratings obviously come first #MKR
— Morticia Jay (@MorticiaJay) April 18, 2018
A Channel Seven spokesperson told news.com.au today:
“Last night’s episode of My Kitchen Rules dealt with an unprecedented level of continued personal attacks and threats by one team against other teams. Despite a number of constructive conversations and second chances, this team continued to bully and attack other teams.
“This level of behaviour does not fit within the agreed workplace values of Channel Seven. Everyone, anywhere and at all times must feel safe and supported in their work place. This is a fundamental understanding and agreement by each and every Seven employee.”