From the desk of ROLAND ROCCHICCIOLI

SOCIAL media is problematic. Everyone must be held accountable for destructive, antisocial behaviour. If Wayne Carey dared subject two women to the same cyber-bullying to which they have subjected him and his family, activists would be skreiching from the ramparts for his castration; for his head to be mounted on a pole; and his manliness to be nailed to the city gates.

Several women drinking at a wine bar deliberately and inaccurately linked Carey and a hitherto unknown-to-him female patron in a sordid fabrication. It has caused Mr. Carey, his partner Jessica Paulke, and the innocent woman, pain and suffering.

Seemingly, the bar patrons recognised an opportunity and separately filmed the unsuspecting couple then wantonly displayed the results of their wickedness on social media with a revolting, slut-shaming caption. The behaviour is despicable and should not be excused by any phoney meis culpis; or pleas of momentary, alcohol-induced, mental aberration; and possibly, crocodile tears — not for the misdemeanour but for having been exposed. The social media savagery deserves the full-weight of public opprobrium — especially from women. There is no cause for pity or leniency.

Wayne Carey is a sporting champion. His peccadilloes are public knowledge. The communal erroneous appraisal — refracted through the ugly lens of envy and scuttlebutt — does not, by osmosis, licence a group of strangers the “wicked freedom” to concoct a false narrative; to create a media frenzy and igniting a maelstrom with a capacity to devastate numerous people’s lives.

Social video platforms has made it possible to anonymously name and shame other people. Those responsible must be held accountable for their grubby, potentially life-threatening, behaviour. If the punishment does not warrant a term of imprisonment — and both Mr. Carey and the victim have spoken of their preparedness to resort to the courts for redress, it should carry an onerous financial penalty, and a surfeit of public disgrace.

Before the advent of mobile phone cameras, social media posting, and podcasts, it was assumed women were less inclined to unsympathetic anti-social behaviour. We have since discovered they are equally capable of verbal harassment and sustained attack — particularly on other women. Former prime minister Julia Gillard’s most vocal critics were women, including Germain Greer. Mostly, misogyny is associated with males; however, studies indicate it also can be present and enacted by women — against other women — stemming from insecurity, competition, and control.

There is a unjustified tendency to laughingly dismiss women’s derisive sexist behaviour based on gender. That is discriminatory! Double standards are unacceptable. We should all be held to the same depth of scrutiny. Collectively, it is inappropriate for television presenters — both genders — ­to pass comment on anyone’s appearance, regardless. Sensationalist chat show panellists are the worst offenders. Paradoxically, women’s unflattering comments: “he’s fat — he’s ugly and bald”, go unchallenged — even judged amusing; conversely, if a man refers to a woman using the barbative language there is a tsunami of public outrage. It is likely he would be fired.

Social media is breeding a savage, mean-spirited community which must be exterminated. It has created a critical communal dearth of emotional indifference. By way of public example, these women warrant a draconian punishment — a life lesson they will never forget. It is what such behaviour merits!

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald radio 3BA — Monday 10.40am. Contact: [email protected]