Fox Sports broadcaster Megan Barnard responds to 'degrading' comments by Tom Morris

Sports broadcaster Megan Barnard has responded for the first time to the furore over misogynistic and homophobic comments about her by former colleague Tom Morris.

In a social media post, Barnard said she hoped that the incident would spark change in the sports world and other industries.

Barnard is an experienced reporter and presenter for Fox Sports News and is currently anchoring coverage of the Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

In a recording from a group chat involving Morris that was leaked last week, the now-former Fox Sports reporter used degrading language to refer to his colleague Barnard.

Posting on Instagram, Barnard said she had been «overwhelmed» by the level of support she had received since the recording was made public.

«To everyone who has reached out, thank you,» she said.

«Fortunately, I am at a place in my life where I am comfortable with who I am and I can handle something deeply personal becoming public.

Women in sports media copped another blow this week, and as Kirby Fenwick writes, a real and lasting difference needs to be made. This is how sport can welcome, rather than exclude or shun.

»But had this happened as recently as a few years ago, it would not have been the case.

«Coming out is a process and should never be taken out of someone's hands.

»Nor should anyone be spoken about in such a degrading manner.

«I hope my experience can be a catalyst for change in not just the sports industry, but in every industry.»

Fox Sports stood down Morris following the release of the audio and, after an investigation, the company sacked Morris on Friday.