In terrible news for anyone who gets their jollies from service station smut, soft-core porno magazines The Picture and People have officially been axed by publisher Bauer Media.
[jwplayer G1osSm72]
The Guardian reports Bauer Media will shutter the publications at the end of the year, owing to flagging sales and, dare we say, the realisation that seeing XXX content next to the Doritos and knockoff sunglasses is just a bit weird.
Roy Morgan data shows Picture ‘enjoyed’ a reported readership of 31,000 people in June 2019, down from 46,000 the year before. That figure means Picture is outclassed by publications Soap World (39,000), PlayStation (145,000) and Australian Golf Digest (62,000).
But low circulation is only half the story, as the decision was spurred by the decision of chains BP and 7/11 to remove the titles from their shelves.
That decision wasn’t entirely based on sales, as both outlets reportedly fielded complaints from folks sick of seeing heavily sexualised content in the eyeline of children.
In a statement, consumer advocacy group Collective Shout today praised Bauer Media’s decision to cull the mags, which were somehow classified as ‘General Interest’ publications – meaning teens could get their grubby mitts on them.
“Bauer has recognised that society has moved on,” said Collective Shout’s Melinda Tankard Reist.
“These sexist titles cannot co-exist in a society that claims to care about sexual harassment and other forms of mistreatment of women.”
Tankard Reist said recent footage of boys from Melbourne’s toff private school St Kevin’s uttering misogynistic chants is “a reflection of boys’ conditioning by a p*rnified (sic) culture,” partially fostered by mags like The Picture and People.
Citing a statement from Bauer Media, The Guardian reports the company is “working closely with staff to find suitable redeployment.”
Despite flatlining sales, at least we know Media Watch will continue to pay attention.
I only bought them for the articles. https://t.co/vVqMTB0ycV
— Paul Barry (@TheRealPBarry) October 23, 2019
