The Walkley awards will ban chequebook journalism after the Spotlight program was nominated for scoop of the year for an interview with Bruce Lehrmann secured by paying $100,000 for his rent on top of expenses for dining, entertainment and golf trips.
During Lehrmann’s defamation trial the federal court heard claims that he discussed payment of about $200,000 for his participation in an interview and was reimbursed by the network for money spent on cocaine and sex workers, which were euphemistically invoiced as “pre-production expenses”.
