Sky News host Rita Panahi says “sadly, we live in an age where finding offence has become an art form” and the “perpetually aggrieved wield enormous power” as the assault against language, culture, and societal norms is in full effect.

“The man who led the absurd – but ultimately successful – campaign to have Coon cheese change its name has a new mission: to see Carlton Football Club change the tune of its club song,” she said.

Indigenous activist Stephen Hagan claims the club’s song is “one of the most racist songs of all time” and must be purged by the footballing community or the stain of racism will persist with each Carlton victory.

“Look, I’m all for unfair, bad faith attacks against arrogant Blues fans – they’re the worst – but it’s stretching the bounds of credulity to suggest their club song is racist due to a connection with a jingle that contained racial slurs about 120 years ago,” Ms Panahi said.

“Yes, Carlton’s club song, We are the Navy Blues, is set to the tune of Lily of Laguna – a song written in 1898 – that originally contained racially insensitive lyrics and was often performed in blackface.

“But Lily of Laguna’s lyrics were rewritten in the 1940s and the non-offensive version has since been recorded by a number of artists from Bing Crosby to Alvin and the Chipmunks.

“Carlton’s version has never had any racial connotations and only someone desperately looking for offence would find fault with the cheerful little ditty.

“Coon cheese was renamed despite the fact it was named after a cheesemaker, Edward William Coon. It took Hagan 21 years of activism to get Coon’s name changed. He may achieve success much quicker with cancelling Carlton’s team song.”