Alan Jones Admits On-Air Comments Were “Savage” As He Fights Back Tears At Defamation Trial

Alan Jones Admits On-Air Comments Were “Savage” As He Fights Back Tears At Defamation Trial

Veteran radio broadcaster Alan Jones has conceded that his on-air comments about a Queensland family were brutal, but has rubbished their claim he suggested they were murderers.

Brothers Denis, John, Neill and Joe Wagner are suing Jones to the tune of $4.8 million for suggesting they were responsible for the deaths of 12 people during the 2011 Grantham floods due to a wall of a quarry they owned collapsing during the natural disaster.

Jones made the accusations across 32 different broadcasts on stations 2GB and 4BC, as well as once on Sky News, during 2014 and 2015.

Harbour Radio (which employs Jones), 4BC and journalist Nicholas Cater are also facing a lawsuit.

Taking to the witness stand at the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Jones conceded his on-air comments about the Wagner family were “savage”, but stopped short of being them labelled vicious.

He also denied using his radio broadcasts to suggest the Wagner family were murderers, describing his criticisms as “accurate”, according to ABC News.

“I attempted to convey to my listeners the sentiments of the letter which called it a municipal murder, which in fact is what it is,” he told the Wagners’ lawyer Tom Blackburn.

“I was intending to say, Mr Blackburn, which I’ve said for six years, without the quarry 12 people wouldn’t have died.

“Without the Wagner quarry, many of these people wouldn’t die. It’s a self-evident fact.”

Fighting back tears, ABC News reported that Jones also detailed the stories he’d been told by families of the flood victims, and claimed he offered the Wagner family many chances to defend themselves on-air.

“It was just a blatant no,” he said.

“I was concerned about getting answers for the deaths of 12 people. And it seems that no-one else was prepared to answer that.

“The Wagners didn’t appear to be remotely concerned, and that’s the Wagner attitude. They want things done their way. Well, I’m sorry – I do things my way.”

Jones’ court defence came after Joe Wagner told of the barrage of verbal and physical abuse his family has suffered as a result of the radio host’s accusations.

The family has also received support from motorbike racing legend Mick Doohan, who gave evidence earlier this week in court.

The hearing continues today.




Please login with linkedin to comment

Alan Jones Grantham floods Wagner Wagner family

Latest News

Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital
  • Advertising

Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital

Revium, a leading full-service digital and AI consultancy, has announced the appointment of Peter Bauld (lead image) as Executive General Manager. Revium is a full-service digital and AI consultancy with over 20 years of experience creating engaging digital experiences for leading organisations and their customers. Bauld joins Revium after an illustrious career spanning over two […]

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup
  • Advertising

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup

Out-of-home OOH) and digital media leader Prashand Menon (lead image) has joined OOH ad tech company Veridooh as group business director within NSW and QLD. Menon joins Veridooh from his most recent role as ScentreGroup’s group business director and brings with him more than 10 years of experience in Australian media. Previously, he held positions […]

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency
  • Advertising

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency

After more than twelve years of producing experiences for some of the world’s most innovative brands, including Hermes, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co, Kat & Co has quietly metamorphosed into THE WORLD OF. THE WORLD OF is an experiential agency at the juncture of culture, technology and the human condition. […]

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two
  • Campaigns

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two

Through a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment, SMG Studio inked the rights to adapt Dune: Part Two into a game based on Risk: Global Domination, Hasbro’s interactive board game. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic masterpiece, Dune: Part Two, this new digital adaptation, RISK: Global Domination X Dune: Part Two, is poised to captivate players from […]

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market
  • Marketing

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market

Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival have had a dramatic impact on the number of people moving in and around Sydney over the past month, drawing big crowds into the heart of the city and its surrounding suburbs. New data from digital outdoor company QMS reveals a […]