‘Truth’ Article Condemned (Press, 25 August 1976)
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Summary: ‘Truth’ Article Condemned (Press, 25 August 1976)
On 25 August 1976, Mr Trevor Barber, the secretary of the National Party’s Waikato division, publicly condemned the "Truth" newspaper following its report that suggested Raglan Member of Parliament, Miss Marilyn Waring, is a lesbian. The front page of "Truth" featured a headline proclaiming an "M.P.'s odd love affair," accompanied by a picture of Miss Waring. The report had sparked controversy, particularly after solicitors representing another woman attempted to halt its publication by seeking an interim injunction against "Truth" from Mr Justice Beattie on the preceding Saturday night. However, the injunction was lifted by Mr Justice Beattie on the following Monday due to subsequent legal action taken by "Truth's" lawyers. Despite the media uproar, Miss Waring attended Parliament where she posed an oral question regarding transfer expenses for women teachers. Although it was anticipated that she might issue a public statement or address the House directly about the allegations, she refrained from making any comments on the matter that day. Mr Barber expressed his disbelief regarding the allegations reported by "Truth," indicating that there had been no feedback from the Raglan electorate about the claims, which he deemed surprising. He emphasised that he does not purchase the "Truth" newspaper because its style of journalism does not align with his values. Barber questioned the fairness of condemning an individual based on unverified hearsay, asserting that the allegations lacked substantiation and no admission had been made by Miss Waring. This incident highlighted issues surrounding media ethics, privacy, and the impact of unfounded claims on public figures, as well as the broader implications for women in politics during that era.
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