Finnigan: Definitely Wrongigan

Judy Finnigan, formerly on what I remember as ‘Richard and Judy’, on daytime TV; has recently joined the Loose Women panel. On October 13th, they were discussing whether or not, former footballer Ched Evans, would be allowed back to work after he has been released early from prison for raping a young woman.

To get to the point, she was seen as essentially implying that more violent rapes were ‘worse’ than others, as such. This caused huge backlash on the social media site, Twitter. 

@judyfinnigan . Totally out of touch with reality, disgusting comments about rape!! And footballer is a privilege, not just any job.
— Mark Sayle Williams (@Sojace) October 13, 2014 

I always used to like Judy Finnigan but she was wrong what she said today. #LooseWomen
— tinasiddle (@tinasiddle) October 13, 2014

There were hundreds of tweets, mainly attacking Finnigan about what she had said. It has now been said that her job might be in jeopardy because of the negative reaction. This just proves how social media can be so powerful when a large amount of people discuss or exert their opinions. 

The BBC reported what she Finnigan said about the matter:

"The rape - and I am not, please, by any means minimising any kind of rape - but the rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person.” 

"It was unpleasant, in a hotel room I believe, and she [the victim] had far too much to drink.”

It was as if she was trying to defend her point, even by expressing the fact that the victim had been drunk. Finnigan later apologised if her views were portrayed as offensive, or even condoning rape. In my opinion, I believe that Loose Women should have thought about their subject matter on the show. If they were to have known the Finnigan would have said this about such a sensitive matter in the first place, they would not have brought up this issue on daytime television. However, a spokesperson for Loose Women did say that they were aiming to have a discussion that involved mixed viewpoints. But was Finnigan's view too much?

There have also been numerous articles on the internet, by journalists, which have sparked a debate on whether or not Finnigan's opinions were taken out of context.

Judy Finnigan row: 7 rape myths which need busting. Badly - Telegraph
Dear Judy Finnigan - please don't apologise

These two articles are both opposite points of view by different journalists. One of them explores further, the 'myths' of rape, and how so many people have only one view of it as an act, and also the rapist themselves. The other, argues, surprisingly, from a feminist perspective - and how Finnigan should not have been forced to apologise as the backlash on social media just highlights how 'women's opinions aren't tolerated'. 

Has the recent media coverage on Finnigan had any affect on rape victims and the exposure of rape?

The issue here is that people need to be careful on how they word and express certain issues in the media, for fear of a negative or extreme responses. This was definitely the case. Statements can be misinterpreted, or misunderstood - yet there is not going to be one same response from an audience. You are never going to please everyone. 

If Finnigan had concluded that all rape was inherently the same - what reaction would that have caused on social media?