Australia’s Top Journos & Editors Could Face Jail Time Over Pell “Contempt”

Australia’s Top Journos & Editors Could Face Jail Time Over Pell “Contempt”
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine



Dozens of Australian journalists, editors and media organisations could face jail time over allegedly breaking a court-ordered suppression of George Pell’s trial for child sex abuse.

Editors of The Age, The Herald Sun, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph and the Australian Financial Review have all been named, along with The Age and its owner, Nine Entertainment, The Herald and Weekly Times and Nationwide News.

Victoria’s director of public prosecutions, Kerri Judd, QC, has put forward a motion that the 36 named be found guilty, convicted and either imprisoned or fined.

Pell’s trial for child sexual abuse and his guilty verdict were suppressed in order to ensure Pell received a fair subsequent trial on other allegations, though this trial never proceeded.

However, over 140 news reports were published across the globe within 24 hours of the guilty verdict being handed down in December last year.

In documents released on Tuesday by the Supreme Court, the offices of public prosecution alleged the media organisations and individuals interfered with “due administration of justice in the prosecution of Pell”.

The documents also said they “aided and abetted overseas media’s contempt”, with their publishing “scandalising the court”.

Both Nine and News Corp released statements refuting the accusations.

News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller said: “The Victorian DPP has filed charges against a number of our companies and journalists.

“We will vigorously defend all charges and resolutely stand by our editors and journalists.”

A spokeswoman for Nine said Nine and the employees named deny the allegations.

She said: “As the matter is now before the courts, Nine will not comment further at this time.”

The Age reported the 36 individuals and organisations summoned are:

  • The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Ltd
  • News Life Media Pty Ltd
  • Fairfax Media Limited
  • The Age Company Pty Ltd
  • Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd
  • Mamamia.com.au
  • Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd
  • The Geelong Advertiser Pty Ltd
  • Nationwide News Pty Ltd
  • Advertiser Newspapers Pty Ltd
  • Macquarie Media Limited
  • Nine Entertainment Co Pty Ltd
  • Ray Hadley
  • Damon Johnston
  • Charis Chang
  • Sam Weir
  • Andrew Piva
  • Ben English
  • Lachlan Hastings
  • Michael Owen-Brown
  • Alex Lavelle
  • Ben Woodhead
  • Patrick O’Neil
  • Michael Bachelard
  • Lisa Davies
  • Michael Stutchbury
  • Patrick Durkin
  • Danielle Cronin
  • Franziska Rimrod
  • Jessica Chambers
  • Allure Media Pty Ltd
  • Simon Thomsen
  • Chris Smith
  • Lara Vella
  • Christine Ahern
  • Deborah Knight

The contempt directions hearing will be held on Monday April 15 before judge John Dixon.




Please login with linkedin to comment

George Pell Ray Hadley

Latest News

It’s Friday Quiz Time Again!
  • Media

It’s Friday Quiz Time Again!

Take B&T's trivia quiz for your chance to win a $100 booze voucher and possible cirrhosis of a major internal organ.

Recommended

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
Big data technology and data science illustration. Data flow concept. Querying, analysing, visualizing complex information. Neural network for artificial intelligence. Data mining. Business analytics.
  • Marketing

SenateSHJ Launches New Trans-Tasman Practices

SenateSHJ has launched a new digital, data and insights capability designed to help clients tackle the growing complexity of communication challenges. SenateSHJ Digital, Data and Insights (DDI) will combine the firm’s existing Digital and Insights functions to create a Trans-Tasman capability focused on digital communication, and the generation and use of data to improve communication. […]

New BrandStory Format From Bonzai Allows 3x More Ad Space on Mobile
  • Media

New BrandStory Format From Bonzai Allows 3x More Ad Space on Mobile

Creative technology platform Bonzai has announced the launch of BrandStory – a new premium mobile ad format. BrandStory offers triple the ad space and 2.8 times greater time in view than single scroll ad formats, addressing the surging demand from brands worldwide for more real estate to drive real results by seamlessly intertwining awareness, exploration […]

B&T’s Search For Australia’s Greatest Ad Heads To Channel 7
  • Advertising

B&T’s Search For Australia’s Greatest Ad Heads To Channel 7

B&T went through the looking glass this morning, with editor-in-chief David Hovenden (above) appearing on Channel 7’s The Morning Show to get the general public involved in our search for Australia’s Greatest Ad. Hovenden chatted with Kylie Gillies and stand-in host Matt Doran about what makes a great ad and showcasing some of our favourites […]

Recommended

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
Opinion: The Tall Planner’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma
  • Opinion

Opinion: The Tall Planner’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma

The science is not in question – smarter people than I, with far more data, have codified it. The logic is not up for grabs…it makes sense that creating mental shortcuts to your brand keeps you at the top of your mind. Lead image: Kate Smither – Owner, The Tall Planner I wouldn’t even take […]

Opinion

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
African woman using a cellphone in an office alone
  • Marketing

Ortto & Tall Bob Partner To Deliver Better SMS & MMS For Australian & NZ Businesses

Two Australian-born technology providers have joined forces to bring more power and choice to marketers in Australia and New Zealand with mobile messaging that is more local, cost-effective, and integrated. It’s a partnership that sees two Australian software companies come together to deliver a world-class mobile-first solution for marketers building data-driven, personalised, omnichannel campaigns. While […]

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.
  • Media

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.

Snap Inc. has announced a number of new recruits. B&T unaware if it positively impacted SEEK's share price.

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh
  • Technology

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh

This will be of interest to any Reddit fans, graphic designers or lovers of an orange so bright it burns the retinas.

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market
  • Advertising

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market

Zitcha and Broadsign have teamed up to integrate the Broadsign out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform with Zitcha’s retail media platform. The collaboration empowers retailers to maximise and monetise in-store digital display networks and enables advertising partners to easily view and book available in-store inventory and review campaign performance alongside the retailer’s other media channels. With the […]

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label
  • Marketing

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label

Today, 7-Eleven has announced a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the popular Sydney-based anti-resort wear label Double Rainbouu. Dropping tomorrow, December 1, just in time for summer, this limited-edition capsule will infuse the fashion brand’s rebellious spirit with a distinctly iconic 7-Eleven flavour. The unisex collection features five must-have styles comprising two signature Hawaiian shirts, a peaked cap, a bucket hat […]