Sky Sports presenters read out horrific online abuse including sick barb over death of brother in bid to combat trolls
SKY SPORTS presenters have bravely read out some of the horrific abuse they have faced online in a bid to combat trolls. The broadcasting company shared a two-minute video of a host of their top talent recalling some of the worst abuse they’ve ever faced. In a campaign to combat online abuse called ‘Hate Won’t […]
SKY SPORTS presenters have bravely read out some of the horrific abuse they have faced online in a bid to combat trolls.
The broadcasting company shared a two-minute video of a host of their top talent recalling some of the worst abuse they’ve ever faced.
In a campaign to combat online abuse called ‘Hate Won’t Stop Us’, the likes of Anna Woolhouse, Bryan Swanson and Alex Hammond opened up in a video which reveals the disturbing attacks they have faced.
Amongst the abuse, Kate Mason revealed she was told: “I hope you get Aids. S**g.”
Michelle Owen added: “I’ve been called a ‘dumb b***h’. I was told I’d got fat and put weight on while I was pregnant.”
Sky Sports News presenter Bryan Swanson revealed he was tweeted: “F*** off you chief, pig-faced c**t.”
NBA host Jaydee Dyer shared the vile racist abuse he faced, revealing he was called “black c**t”.
Bela Shah confirmed it was mostly “racist or sexist”, while Laura Woods claimed: “I didn’t quite know how to process it.
“It was so abusive and so direct and hurtful… I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve it.”
Boxing presenter Woolhouse even revealed she was sent a truly shocking message regarding her brother, who tragically died in a bus crash in Malaysia in 2014.
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Through tears, she read: “That big, ugly grin… I hope you can join your brother in death soon.
“He probably killed himself trying to get away from you.”
Woolhouse was also told: “I love how you wear make-up, because you are so ugly without it.”
Natalie Pinkham shockingly revealed she had been called ‘n****r lover’ in the heartbreaking video.
Pinkham also recalled how ‘one of her best friends took her life’ due to a hate campaign.
The Sky Sports star may have been referring to Caroline Flack, who died in February.
Elsewhere in the heart-wrenching video, Dyer added he’d been sent banana emojis and gorilla emojis by sick trolls.
Woolhouse claimed no one would say such vile things to their face, while David Garrido admitted he’s ‘come to expect it’ and is ‘used to it’ now.
And they feared those who don’t have a thick skin like they’ve been forced to grow could be ‘irreparably damaged’ by such abuse.
Sky Sports Premier League analyst Micah Richards added: “I have been a victim of racial abuse online as have so many others.
“It is horrible to receive and the negative impact such comments have can outweigh all the positive aspects of social media.
“These commitments are a positive step as large publishers like Sky Sports need to use their voice to address some of these issues, help educate and ultimately eradicate all forms of online abuse.”
Director of Sky Sports News and Digital Publishing Mark Alford said: “There is a small minority who use digital platforms to post hate, abuse and profanity against our content and our people.
“This needs to stop.
“We would like the major social media companies to do more to stop harmful content on their platforms.
“They have the best tools and visibility to act against abusive or hateful comments and owe a duty of care to their users.
“The onus should be on the social media platforms to behave like responsible publishers.
“We commit to making skysports.com free from abuse and will strive to make our channels on social media a safer space for all sports fans.”