Looks like Media Watch are going to go after A Current Affair regarding the Hey Dad abuse scandal. Rightly so. Trial by media has sunk to its lowest level ever.
As has been stated by numerous lawyers, its unlikely that the accused in this case would ever get a fair trial by the courts.
The Executive Producer Tosspot at A Current Affair, Grant Williams HAS provided a RESPONSE to Media Watch regarding his program's ALLEGATIONS in the Hey Dad "scandal". Excuse my bolding, I'm just taking Grant Williams' lead.
Williams defends trial by media. Its OK he says because they alone are the ones who can run investigations.
I wonder what would happen if someone accused Grant Williams of playing with kids. Let me make it clear, i'm not for a moment suggesting he has. But how would i know? I'm not in a position to judge what he has done in his past. But perhaps someone might suggest that he has, just as Sarah Monahan has done regarding a Hey Dad actor.
Would Grant Williams be so content with the behaviour of ACA in the Hey Dad Matter if Today Tonight led for days on end saying he was a fiddler? Im sure he wouldnt. Glasshouses Grant, glasshouses.
Its all ratings until then isn't it? Its not about doing the right thing. Its about making the cash. Williams, you are a tosser.
STATEMENT BY GRANT WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, A CURRENT AFFAIR, NINE NETWORK
I personally salute the courage of Sarah Monahan and every other alleged victim and witness who has come forward to ACA in response to allegations of sexual abuse raised on our program.
All ACA staff connected with this investigation acted with the utmost integrity and sensitivity in their dealings with these matters and I personally appraised NSW Police of the progress of our inquiries from the outset.
ACA has in no way hindered a police investigation - to the contrary - it has in fact CAUSED a police investigation that would NOT have otherwise been initiated.
The numerous victims and witnesses now in contact and being formally interviewed by NSW Police were ONLY identified as a direct result of ACA's reports.
Any suggestion that evidence provided by victims and witnesses could or would be compromised in the event that they WERE or WERE NOT paid to tell their version of events is patently offensive to those victims and witnesses - especially given the nature of the allegations.
It should be further noted that ACA gathered material from other alleged victims and witnesses without dealing with those matters on the program.
Media speculation regarding any possible difficulties that the Crown might encounter should any of these matters be brought before a court is plainly a nonsense. The alternative to the position as it stands would be that NO victims were identified - NO witnesses were identified - and NO investigation commenced - let alone a prosecution.
If these matters were raised on 'Four Corners' I'm sure they'd be widely lauded (at least at the ABC) as a fine piece of investigative journalism.
I appreciate the positive outcome of our reports does not suit the agenda of the Media Watch program.
Thank you for the opportunity to present a response.
Yours sincerely
Grant Williams
Executive Producer
A Current Affair
Nine Network Australia
About Just Grumpy
6 comments
Just watched media watch. All seemed well until they decided to pass judgement on robert hughes. Something like that the reports by ACA smells like truth. They also were very soft on aca and hit today tonight harder. Media watch you have lost me forever and i was one of your biggest fans. Hope you get shut down.
I cant believe what i just watched. That was the weakest media watch i have ever seen. have they been nobbled by aca or something? so much for a tough approach yg!
Game set match to a current affair and trial by media. Now there isnt anybody to fight against tabloid media. Thanks a lot Media Watch. Ive heard of toothless tigers but WTF was that?
So even Jonathon Holmes has been sucked in by the ACA Hey Dad saga. He supports their behaviour in trial by media. Jonathon Holmes has to go.
Correct me if i am wrong but did i witness media watch endorse chequebook journalism? I reckon ive seen it all now.
Since when does media watch think its their job to provide an editorial? Baffling.
"Yet it seems to me that for all the occasional tackiness, and sensationalism, and for all the undeclared cheques passing hands, A Current Affair this week did what Four Corners did last year: shone a light into dark places, revived long-buried memories, and came up with something that feels to me like truth."
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