Danika Mason issues apology following live broadcast controversy
Australian sports presenter Danika Mason has apologised after footage of her slurring during a live broadcast from the Winter Olympics in Italy circulated widely on social media, reports BritPanorama.
Mason, well known for her coverage of the National Rugby League, acknowledged her misjudgment regarding alcohol consumption prior to going on air, accepting full responsibility for the situation. She expressed embarrassment about the incident while speaking during a subsequent appearance on the Today breakfast programme.
The incident drew considerable attention, prompting remarks from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. During Wednesday’s live cross to the Today programme, Mason delivered a perplexing report that left viewers confused, mentioning iguanas and comparing coffee prices in the US and Italy. Viewers noticed her glazed eyes as she referred to the differences in pricing, stating, “Literally like the price of coffee over here is actually fine, it’s more the price of coffee in the US that we’re gonna have to get used to.”
Host Karl Stefanovic was heard laughing during the segment, later defending Mason by suggesting that the cold weather had impacted her performance. He remarked, “Look the cold weather is a thing, right. You can’t actually move your lips.”
Following the broadcast, Mason directly addressed viewers, thanking those who reached out with messages of concern. “I’m OK, probably just a little embarrassed,” she stated, elaborating on her earlier choices that contributed to the broadcast mishap.
She noted, “Look, I totally misjudged the situation, I shouldn’t have had a drink, especially in these conditions; it’s cold, we’ve got altitude, and not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well.” Her colleagues supported her, with Jenny Azzopardi asserting, “We know how hard you work, Danika,” while Stefanovic labelled her a “legend.”
Reactions among Australian viewers were mixed, with some expressing support while others were critical. Observers on social media shared diverse opinions, with one user describing Mason’s performance as enjoyable, while another demanded her dismissal if unprofessionalism was not due to health issues.
Prime Minister Albanese chimed in, dismissing the notion of wrongdoing on Mason’s part. “Good on her. She’s over in Italy and she would have been tired,” he commented, also highlighting the challenges posed by the time difference. Albanese expressed support, stating, “Nothing to see here.”
In the unpredictable world of sports broadcasting, Mason’s incident serves as a reminder of the thin line public figures walk in the spotlight, where even minor missteps can lead to substantial scrutiny, reflecting the inherent challenges of live coverage in high-pressure environments.
