Alan Jones’ outdated thinking on women became even more apparent during yesterday’s press conference in which he offered an apology to Prime Minister Julia Gillard for comments he made about her late father.
It was a tough mea culpa for Jones, whose remarks at a Sydney University Liberal Club function that Mr Gillard had “died of shame” went public after being recorded by a News Ltd journalist.
So tough that Jones threw in a number of caveats to his apology: the comments were “öff the cuff”, it was a “private function”, he was repeating a story he’d heard earlier that day and the event was one in which everyone was taking the micky out of everyone else, anyway. He told reporters he had decided to “man up” to the press conference to make his apology, rather than simply issue a statement on a piece of paper.
But Jones’ most telling moment yesterday came while the 2GB mornings host was defending himself against accusations he has a problem with women.
He doesn’t have such a problem, he said. Nor does he dislike the prime minister. He merely dislikes her policies.
Still, it’s apparent that for Jones there’s an element of “us and them” when it comes to men and women. He may have come to accept the fact women now hold some of the key decision-making positions in the country, but that doesn’t make this portion of the population any less mysterious.
Women need defending, according to Jones at yesterday’s press conference:
“I’ve argued in defence of women on a million fronts, whether it’s artistic, political, sporting or raised money for them and given them money and I continue to do so.”
And Jones has personally offered his help:
“I was the one who nominated Gail Kelly to be on the Sydney cricket ground trust,” he said.
And we should know that Jones believes women can get stuff done:
“Women make a phenomenal contribution to this country.”
And there should be more of us, especially given women:
“… don’t smoke cigars and get drunk on red wine at lunch.”
Indeed, we should all be convinced that Jones does not have a problem with women because he has, “said publicly there should be more of them”.
Yes, more of them.
Jones also suggested there are different standards for men and women, especially regarding what he can say on air about the Prime Minister and what those on social media can say about him.
“There is a perception out there that Julia is off limits on some of these issues but it’s fair game to say the sorts of things that were said about me and others last week,” he said regarding offensive Twitter comments mentioning his prostate cancer.
Alan Jones is 71 years old. He’s been broadcasting for decades following previous careers in teaching, coaching and speechwriting. Those of us who don’t listen to his show may like to think we can determine the time when he should finally call it quits, or be axed by his employer. Such calls won’t necessarily make much of a difference unless, of course, there’s a commercial imperative to make the move.
Jones has a megaphone, an audience and advertisers still willing to support his show.
But eventually, Jones’ own irrelevant views will mark the end of his days as a media personality.
And with advertisers like Challenger, Freedom Furniture, JJ Metro West and Lexus of Parramatta already pulling their support for his show, those days may not be all that far away.