The Prime Minister of Australia is defending a Winter Olympics reporter who faced criticism for "inappropriate" behavior on the air.
Danika Mason, a 34-year-old reporter from Australia covering the Winter Olympics, faced criticism for drinking before an on-air appearance. She appeared to slur her words and later went viral on the air.
The popular reporter admitted that she “misjudged” the situation in Italy and she has since apologized.
“I want to take full responsibility, it’s not the standard I set myself,” Mason said during a follow-up appearance on the air, adding that she was “embarrassed."
NBC.
Mason took "full responsibility."
“Look, I totally misjudged the situation, I shouldn’t have had a drink, especially in these conditions, it’s cold, we’ve got altitude, and not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well. But I want to take full responsibility, it’s not the standard I set myself.
Prime Minister comes to her defense
The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, is defending the Australian reporter, despite others criticizing her for "inappropriate" behavior on the air.
“I’m pro Danika. Good on her,” Albanese said. “She’s over in Italy … and she would have been tired. It’s the time difference. It would have been having an impact. Nothing to see here."
The 2026 Winter Olympics are continuing on the air on NBC and Peacock throughout the weekend.