Australia’s much-loved comedian Magda Szubanski was recently targeted by a coordinated “avalanche of hate” from rightwing extremists and COVID deniers after appearing in a Victorian government ad encouraging mask use. Australia’s e-safety commissioner Julie Inman-Grant reported Magda was subjected to ‘volumetric cross-platform online abuse’ which is commonly organised in closed groups on Facebook or other platforms.

Magda’s joins The Briefing to share her story:

Did she ever expect the campaign would come with this much backlash?
What was it about her involvement that really triggered them?
What is it about the pandemic that has brought the abuse and attacks out?
Was there any point where she regretted being part of this campaign or even considered asking for the ads to be taken down?
Why did she take the approach of calling out the attacks?

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How Magda Szubanski became the target of right-wing extremists