Old_Geezer - //"Would a male journalist expect, or tolerate the same?"
Of course. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, although I'm getting the message that I'm the only one in the world who thinks that's true. //
Let's not be naïve here shall we?
A section of the populace - and some on here - think that such behaviour can only be expected by an attractive woman - I happen to think that is a wrong position to take.
You and I know that if he did it, he is being a 'bit of a lad', if she had done it, she would be upbraided as a tart / hussy / cougar .... ad nauseum.
//As for others being offended on someone else's behalf; that seems par for the course these days. //
The cricketers employers are not 'being offended' on behalf of the journalist - they are sending out a message to him, and the rest of the team, that unprofessional and inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated - that is a very different position.
Personally, I am not 'offended' on anyone's behalf, as I opined earlier, his behaviour was thoughtless and immature, but to be fair, he did apologise when he realised that fact.