‘Calculated risk’ costs media including Nine and News Corp $1.1m in fines

June 4, 2021 3:27

Australian media publications including News.com.au, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Telegraph, Business Insider, Mamamia, as well as programs The Today Show and 2GB Breakfast, have been handed down a combined $1.1 million in fines for breaching contempt of court laws, over reporting of Cardinal George Pell’s sexual abuse trial.

In February this year the media outlets pleaded guilty to breaching contempt of court laws, with part of a plea deal leading to certain charges being dropped, including charges against editors at some of those outlets. The ruling was handed down this morning.

The charges were in relation to the way in which the outlets first covered the trial of Cardinal George Pell in December 2018, contrary to a proceeding suppression order.

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Olivia Kruimel

Olivia Kruimel was the managing editor at Mumbrella. She has more than 15 years of experience in journalism, communications and marketing. Her journalism career began at Fairfax Media (now part of Nine) and includes various B2B publications such as B&T, Travel Today and ALB. As a marketer Olivia has worked for Standard Chartered and various global law firms.