Channel 7 has been found to have financed Bruce Lehrmann‘s fortnightly accommodation costs amounting to AUD 4,000.
This arrangement, part of an exclusive deal with the former Liberal staffer, has become a focal point in the ongoing defamation trial initiated by Lehrmann against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
The court documents revealed an invoice dated 7 June 2023 from L’Abode Accommodation Specialist, indicating an accommodation agreement spanning from 13 April 2023 to 12 April 2024. This arrangement suggests that if Lehrmann’s accommodation costs remain consistent, the total value of the benefit he receives could reach AUD 104,000 over the 12-month period.
“Network Seven organised the accommodation,” Lehrmann stated in his recent court testimony. Additionally, the exclusivity contract between Lehrmann and Channel Seven specified that the network would provide 12 months of accommodation in exchange for Lehrmann’s compliance and contribution to two exclusive interviews on their program, Spotlight.
The court heard that the agreement allowed Channel Seven access to relevant documents and exclusive interviews. Lehrmann confirmed this but noted he provided only the interviews. The public disclosure of this accommodation-for-interviews arrangement has led the Walkley awards board to reconsider its stance on ‘chequebook journalism’.
The 2023 Scoop of the Year nomination by Channel Seven for the Lehrmann interview, while not victorious, remains valid. The network, in response to media queries stated:
“7NEWS Spotlight made no payment to Bruce Lehrmann for the interview, however, the program assisted with accommodation as part of the filming of the report.”
In light of the Walkley review, Channel Seven reiterated their adherence to the Foundation’s guidelines.
In a parallel development, the federal court documents disclosed settlements in Lehrmann’s defamation cases against News Corp and the ABC. News Corp settled for AUD 295,000 and the ABC for AUD 150,000. These settlements, devoid of any admission of liability, were made as contributions towards Lehrmann’s legal costs.
The ABC settlement entailed an additional agreement to publish a statement on its corrections and clarifications page and to remove certain videos. The News Corp settlement required the publication of an editor’s note clarifying the terms of the settlement and Lehrmann’s stance on the allegations against him.
These agreements, while resolving the defamation claims, do not imply any liability acknowledgment by the broadcasters.
SOURCES: The Guardian and SMH
Nawww, poor Widdle Wyer!!!!!