Channel 7 reporter slams vile comments: ‘It’s just not OK’–Do you agree?
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In a world where online commentary has become an uninvited part of public life, one journalist is calling out a disturbing trend that's affecting many in the media.
What began as a routine news report quickly turned into an unsettling experience that raised questions about how we view those behind the headlines.
The story that unfolded next revealed a stark reality for one reporter, shedding light on the toll such public scrutiny can take.
Cassie Zervos, a reporter for Channel 7, recently found herself confronting a wave of nasty online comments that focused on her looks rather than the story she was covering.
The Melbourne journalist had been reporting on an unusual court case involving a woman who stole two human toes from a deceased person to sell them on the black market.
But when Zervos checked the feedback online, she was shocked to find a barrage of criticism aimed squarely at her appearance.
Zervos explained she decided to read the comments, which she rarely does, because the case piqued her curiosity.
What she didn’t expect was the relentless focus on her eyes, with people commenting on how they ‘didn’t look right’, claiming she’d had a ‘big weekend’, or critiquing her makeup and eyelashes.
The comments were mostly from women, leaving Zervos reeling despite the fact that journalists are often expected to develop a thick skin.
She reflected on the irony, saying: ‘I remember sitting in the courtroom thinking, “jeez... it was only two weeks ago we were celebrating International Women’s Day.”’
Normally, Zervos would brush off such comments, but something about this particular situation made her decide to speak up.
'I just thought nope, not today. Especially because I see a lot of other women in the industry, many who are my friends, have similar experiences,' she shared.
After the workday ended, the weight of the remarks lingered, prompting Zervos to record a video in her car, which she later shared on social media.
'I was covering a really awful story...now, instead of people focusing on what I was reporting on, they thought it was OK to comment on how I looked,' she said in the video posted to her personal social media account.
In the video, she continued: ‘People said my eyes 'didn’t look right', that I’d 'had a big weekend', that my 'eyelashes were too long', my make-up artist 'did me dirty.'’
Zervos firmly stated: ‘Firstly, this is my face, this is who I am.’
The journalist went on to explain that she felt compelled to call out such behaviour, emphasising that although she’s ‘proud of the skin I’m in’, she’s still human and deserves respect.
She pointed out: ‘It’s 2025, we shouldn’t be commenting or focusing on how people look, it’s just not OK, it can make people feel really sad.’
Reflecting on the impact of those cruel comments, she admitted that they left her feeling ‘pretty crappy’.
Source: Tiktok/cassiezervos
However, since sharing her message, Zervos received an outpouring of support from friends and viewers who offered kind words.
'It felt amazing,' she said, describing her inbox as flooded with messages of encouragement.
One supporter commented: ‘100 per cent. Go you for calling it out, great role model for my daughter and other girls growing up in this evil world.’
Another added: ‘Spot on Cass, ignore the haters, keep doing what you do, we love you the way you are.’
Others weighed in, saying: ‘We should be able to go to work and not be attacked for something irrelevant to the job we’re doing. It’s totally uncalled for.’
Some social media users even claimed those leaving hurtful remarks were simply ‘jealous’ or ‘insecure’.
'They’re projecting because they’re insecure,' one wrote.
'The are just jealous trolls Cass,' another added.
The nasty comments were eventually removed from the video, which had been posted on the 7News Melbourne social media page.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time Zervos had encountered online abuse.
Earlier, she shared how she had received death threats after covering a Melbourne protest, revealing how the hostility she faced was unlike anything she’d encountered from the people involved in the protest itself.
She had written in a September post: 'None of their reactions come close to the vitriol that myself and my colleagues endure during a protest such as Wednesday’s. Just for doing our jobs.'
In a previous story, another woman in the public eye also spoke out after facing harsh comments about her appearance.
The young mum had simply worn a dress from Kmart when she became the target of unnecessary body shaming.
Her experience sparked a wider conversation about how women are treated in everyday situations—read more about it here.
It’s clear that the pressure of public scrutiny can take a toll on anyone, especially those in the media.
How do you think we can create a more supportive online environment for journalists and public figures?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
What began as a routine news report quickly turned into an unsettling experience that raised questions about how we view those behind the headlines.
The story that unfolded next revealed a stark reality for one reporter, shedding light on the toll such public scrutiny can take.
Cassie Zervos, a reporter for Channel 7, recently found herself confronting a wave of nasty online comments that focused on her looks rather than the story she was covering.
The Melbourne journalist had been reporting on an unusual court case involving a woman who stole two human toes from a deceased person to sell them on the black market.
But when Zervos checked the feedback online, she was shocked to find a barrage of criticism aimed squarely at her appearance.
Zervos explained she decided to read the comments, which she rarely does, because the case piqued her curiosity.
What she didn’t expect was the relentless focus on her eyes, with people commenting on how they ‘didn’t look right’, claiming she’d had a ‘big weekend’, or critiquing her makeup and eyelashes.
The comments were mostly from women, leaving Zervos reeling despite the fact that journalists are often expected to develop a thick skin.
She reflected on the irony, saying: ‘I remember sitting in the courtroom thinking, “jeez... it was only two weeks ago we were celebrating International Women’s Day.”’
Normally, Zervos would brush off such comments, but something about this particular situation made her decide to speak up.
'I just thought nope, not today. Especially because I see a lot of other women in the industry, many who are my friends, have similar experiences,' she shared.
After the workday ended, the weight of the remarks lingered, prompting Zervos to record a video in her car, which she later shared on social media.
'I was covering a really awful story...now, instead of people focusing on what I was reporting on, they thought it was OK to comment on how I looked,' she said in the video posted to her personal social media account.
In the video, she continued: ‘People said my eyes 'didn’t look right', that I’d 'had a big weekend', that my 'eyelashes were too long', my make-up artist 'did me dirty.'’
Zervos firmly stated: ‘Firstly, this is my face, this is who I am.’
The journalist went on to explain that she felt compelled to call out such behaviour, emphasising that although she’s ‘proud of the skin I’m in’, she’s still human and deserves respect.
She pointed out: ‘It’s 2025, we shouldn’t be commenting or focusing on how people look, it’s just not OK, it can make people feel really sad.’
Reflecting on the impact of those cruel comments, she admitted that they left her feeling ‘pretty crappy’.
Source: Tiktok/cassiezervos
However, since sharing her message, Zervos received an outpouring of support from friends and viewers who offered kind words.
'It felt amazing,' she said, describing her inbox as flooded with messages of encouragement.
One supporter commented: ‘100 per cent. Go you for calling it out, great role model for my daughter and other girls growing up in this evil world.’
Another added: ‘Spot on Cass, ignore the haters, keep doing what you do, we love you the way you are.’
Others weighed in, saying: ‘We should be able to go to work and not be attacked for something irrelevant to the job we’re doing. It’s totally uncalled for.’
Some social media users even claimed those leaving hurtful remarks were simply ‘jealous’ or ‘insecure’.
'They’re projecting because they’re insecure,' one wrote.
'The are just jealous trolls Cass,' another added.
The nasty comments were eventually removed from the video, which had been posted on the 7News Melbourne social media page.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time Zervos had encountered online abuse.
Earlier, she shared how she had received death threats after covering a Melbourne protest, revealing how the hostility she faced was unlike anything she’d encountered from the people involved in the protest itself.
She had written in a September post: 'None of their reactions come close to the vitriol that myself and my colleagues endure during a protest such as Wednesday’s. Just for doing our jobs.'
In a previous story, another woman in the public eye also spoke out after facing harsh comments about her appearance.
The young mum had simply worn a dress from Kmart when she became the target of unnecessary body shaming.
Her experience sparked a wider conversation about how women are treated in everyday situations—read more about it here.
It’s clear that the pressure of public scrutiny can take a toll on anyone, especially those in the media.
How do you think we can create a more supportive online environment for journalists and public figures?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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