‘Shit happens’ to Channel Seven too

‘Shit’ seems to have become the word of the moment.

Tony Abbott was questioned on its suitability.

Nine is airing a sitcom about it with William Shatner.

And George Negus asked about a “shitstorm” during his first episode of 6PM.

Last night it was liberally used during the News and The 7PM Project.

So, good news people, it’s no longer on the naughty list on this site anymore.

Mark Riley’s interview with the Opposition Leader has completely backfired on the Seven reporter. He may not have ‘ambushed’ Abbott as some have suggested (Abbott agreed to the interview and topic ahead of time), but his decision to raise the issue has not fared well with the public.

That said, it hasn’t been good for Abbott either. His nodding silence will be an image that is hard to forget.

Last night Riley defended his actions, saying he was “doing my job” as Seven’s political editor.

Seven News was even forced to air some of the hate mail it had received, even accusing it of gutter journalism on air.

Yesterday angry viewers took to Twitter, talkback radio, newspaper websites, and social media to lash out at Riley. Some still had not forgotten his 2009 Sunday Night report of a supposed sexual affair between SA Premier Mike Rann and a former employee. When Rann threatened to sue Seven over that one, the network was forced to apologise.

Yesterday there was plenty of comment on Seven’s own Yahoo!7 forum:

– Bye Mark, i used to enjoy your coverage, but this has gone too far, using the death of an Australian soldier to drum up media hype is the lowest of the low. Your lucky Tony Abbott didn’t thump you.

– You’ve got to be kidding me! Channel 7 and Mark Riley hitting a new low in “journalism”. Won’t be watching channel 7 again. Time for Mark Riley to get a real job.

– Mark Riley was completely out of line. He should apologize to the family of the digger and then resign.

– Mark Riley, you’re now the most hated and despised journalist in Australia…any comment?

– Dear Mark, I once was a fan of your reporting – now I am not. I’m completely disgusted in your attitude regarding the interview with Tony Abbott. Politics and ratings aside Mr Riley, imagine the feelings of this poor soldiers wife, family and comrades felt whilst witnessing this poor excuse of an interview.

It’s pretty clear this isn’t the outcome that the interview was supposed to elicit. Will it now impact on ratings?