http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/erin-barry/ Erin is a freelance editor and occasional writer. She works in the ACT youth and community sectors, particularly in social policy and advocacy. While on maternity leave she became a little obsessed with voicing her opinions through social media as a way to engage with the world. Now it’s gone to another level! en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-wouldnt-kill-us-to-save-more-lives/ At a recent protest outside the electoral office of Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said Australia was mishandling the refugee issue, and it was the “lack of a humanitarian approach and failure to abide by international obligations” that was causing problems. Another refugee advocate at the protest said, “You don’t have to be an Australian to have human rights.” Human rights should be the lens through which we consider the economic, cultural and geographic implications of increasing our intake of refugees and asylum seekers. It is about enacting people’s basic rights to freedom, choice and safety. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Erin Barry) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-wouldnt-kill-us-to-save-more-lives/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-wouldnt-kill-us-to-save-more-lives/#item7535 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:50:46 +0000 Erin Barry | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/bullying-and-humiliation-thats-entertainment/ A new report has found that women on MTV reality television programs call each other rodents, skanks, trash bags, tricks (whatever that is) and hoes. The study condemns reality television’s negative depictions of female and male behaviour, as the networks compete to reach the next level of shock value. It can’t be denied that reality television often exploits and humiliates its participants for entertainment value. There is, however, a notable exception in Junior MasterChef 2011, which has made a visible effort to protect the emotional and mental health of its young participants. I’ve observed the previews of both Junior MasterChef seasons with a resolve not to support a competition that places unnecessary, national pressure on children. But I’ve been won over by the optimism and resilience of the young participants. The challenges are colourful, the judges gentle, and each negative comment comes wedged in a compliment sandwich. Children aren’t alienated from their families – a stark comparison with its adult counterpart, where participants must resign from society. The judges focus on celebrating the leaders of the scoreboard rather than exploiting the losers, and deliberate strategies are implemented to build upon the children’s self-confidence. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Erin Barry) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/bullying-and-humiliation-thats-entertainment/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/bullying-and-humiliation-thats-entertainment/#item7265 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:35:53 +0000 Erin Barry | Author bios | The Punch