Following the social media backlash regarding Cleo magazine's use of digitally-altered images, the title has announced it will hold an online forum on Monday to discuss the issue.
The magazine has pledged to hold an "open discussion" about its retouching practices on its website on Monday 3 September, in response to the public petition and onslaught of social media complaints and deploring its policy.
"As you guys may have noticed over the past few days, there's been a lot of discussion on our Facebook page about retouching. Please be aware that we have been listening to what everyone is saying", it said on Facebook.
"We realise this is an issue that many of you are passionate about, however we feel that the voice of some of our regular readers is getting lost in the discussion.
"We're taking this opportunity to announce that we will be holding an open discussion about Cleo's retouching practices."
The issue was thrust into the public sphere earlier in the month, due to a Change.org petition started by 20 year old Melbourne student Jessica Barlow.
She suggested the use of digitally-altered images by Cleo magazine was responsible for concerns young women feel regarding their weight, appearence and self-esteem. Barlow went on to label Photoshopped images a potential cause of eating disorders, dieting and depression.
The magazine responded to Barlow by sending her its Photoshopping guidelines, saying it frequently uses images from picture agencies which have already been retouched, claiming the situation was largely beyond its control.
However, consumers flocked to the magazine's Facebook page, refuting its claims and calling for further action.
One user wrote: "Cleo, ultimately, you are the photographer's customer. If they cannot deliver the product required by your magazine then perhaps it is time to source them from somewhere else? It is good to see that you are addressing this issue but perhaps rather than saying there is nothing you can do, you could take a stand, like your readers."
The petition currently has 15,395 signatures and its own Twitter hastag, #RealGirlsCleo.
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