Peter Stefanovic slammed for "harsh" question to young million-dollar winner
Peter Stefanovic has been slammed online for bringing up a past crime committed by the 19-year-old, who had his life change overnight when he won $1 million.
Keegan Payne was fishing in the Northern Territory when he caught a barramundi worth $1 million, that was part of a years-long fishing competition in the Top End.
While dong the media rounds to celebrate his life-changing win, Keegan spoke with Stefanovic on Sky News, who chose to focus on a petty crime Keegan committed when he was just 16-years-old, cutting the joy of his win short.
"There is a claim online that you stole a Polaris Ranger and Polaris quad that you and your friends stole and damaged from a business a few years back, first of all, is that true?" Stefanovic asked from his Sydney studio during the live interview.
Payne, who was speaking from the Darwin, simply answered, "Yes".
"So, what happened?" Mr Stefanovic pressed.
Payne explained he and his friends "were young", and "weren't thinking at the time" but having come up with the idea they "went for it".
Stefanovic asked Payne if he regretted the act and he said he did "big time".
Social media users were quick to condemn Stefanovic's line of questioning to the teenager, saying he chose to cut him down on live TV, rather than celebrate his success.
One person wrote online, "Reporter hears good news. Does everything they can to dig up dirt and be negative. He made a mistake and took the fall out for it and was forgiven way before this win!"
Another simply said, "S***ty reporting as usual", while others asked why people couldn't "just be happy for this kid?"
"No one's perfect, but to shame him on tv? Talk about rip the carpet from beneath him! Stop kicking people back down when they move forward!" another added
"Shows the mentality of dipsh*ts who like ruin other peoples happiness!"
Another simply called Stefanovic a "grub", and said he was being "unfair" on the teenager.
Image credits: Sky News / Million Dollar Fish