http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Alan-Jones-could-face-jail-over-breach/2007/03/19/1174152944243.html

Sydney radio broadcaster Alan Jones faces a possible jail term after naming a child witness at a murder trial.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Helen Syme on Monday found that when Jones named the boy on air, he breached legislation prohibiting the naming of juveniles involved in criminal proceedings.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of a $5,500 fine and 12 months in jail.

The witness was reportedly aged 14 when he saw a fatal stabbing in 2004, Downing Centre Local Court was told.

After he gave evidence at the trial of the alleged murderer in July 2005, his name was published in The Daily Telegraph - a report to which Jones referred to during his morning show on Sydney radio station 2GB.

In evidence, Jones said he assumed some form of consent had been given, because he "saw the article in the Daily Telegraph, and considered the newspaper to be a responsible and reputable one".

However, Ms Syme noted there was nothing in the newspaper report to suggest such consent had been obtained, and Jones did not check whether it had been.

The defendants had disputed the boy's age and although it could not be precisely established, Ms Syme accepted that the witness was born between 1988 and 1992 and was under 18 at the relevant time.

All I can say is:  ;D

In evidence, Jones said he assumed some form of consent had been given, because he "saw the article in the Daily Telegraph, and considered the newspaper to be a responsible and reputable one".


;D ;D ;D
that's funny, relying on a newspaper.

since when is a newspaper supposed to be a reliable source? you would have thought Alan Jones would be aware that newspapers can be quite shonky at times.

in fact all types of media are shonky, a good example is Today Tonight re. the granny & chains & the attempt to meet with Mercedes Corby.

Gavin wrote on Mar 20^th, 2007 at 12:10pm:

in fact all types of media are shonky, a good example is Today Tonight re. the granny & chains & the attempt to meet with Mercedes Corby.

Not true, I still have faith in the ABC & SBS, some of the better newspapers well SMH and the Australian anyway. You can't use TT as an example thats bottom of the barrel stuff.

At least ABC and SBS still take the news seriously and have strict charters to live up to.

zoso wrote on Mar 20^th, 2007 at 12:42pm:

Gavin wrote on Mar 20th, 2007 at 12:10pm: in fact all types of media are shonky, a good example is Today Tonight re. the granny & chains & the attempt to meet with Mercedes Corby. Not true, I still have faith in the ABC & SBS, some of the better newspapers well SMH and the Australian anyway. You can't use TT as an example thats bottom of the barrel stuff. At least ABC and SBS still take the news seriously and have strict charters to live up to.

Fair enough, the Daily Telegraph and Today Tonight are the bottom of the barrel.

It's just funny that Alan Jones would rely on the Daily Telegraph, and use that as an excuse to say that he thought consent was given to relive the 14-year-old's name.

Yes, he should be jailed. I doubt he will be.
To say "someone else did it, so it is ok" is not a reason under the legal system.

HE'LL FIT RIGHT IN!
He is a soap dropper! ;D

hahahahh - great phrase.
Yes, a soapdropper from WAY back !!

Pillow biter, greek stylist, poo jabber etc.....

http://news.smh.com.au/jones-loses-appeal-over-naming-juvenile/20080211-1rhc.html

Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones held an "unreasonable" belief he could name a juvenile witness in a murder trial, a judge said in dismissing Jones' conviction appeal.

Contrary to a magistrate's findings, Judge Michael Finnane found that Jones honestly - although unreasonably - believed consent had been given for the name to be broadcast.

The judge also rejected conviction challenges by 2GB's licensee, Harbour Radio, and The Daily Telegraph's publisher, Nationwide News.

He asked for written submissions relating to an appeal by Jones against his $1,000 fine and nine-month good behaviour bond and Harbour Radio's $3,000 fine.

Nationwide News is not challenging its $4,000 fine.