Journalist That Broke Alan Jones Allegation Stories Denies Fame Or Profit Motive
Image: AAP Image/Damian Shaw
Kate McClymont, the journalist who broke stories covering allegations against broadcaster Alan Jones, denied being driven by profit or views during her reporting.
McClymont was called to give evidence on the 3rd of November in the NSW Local Court for Jones’ trial, with Jones pleading not guilty to 19 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching against five men between 2003 and 2020.
The court heard McClymont spoke to three of the five complainants at the centre of Jones’ trial, dubbed “A”, “C” and “H”, with the NSW Police setting up Strike Force Bonnefin after her reporting.
McClymont’s time in court follows testimony in September from a fellow Sydney Morning Herald colleague, Peter FitzSimons, and former 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley.
She told the court it was not her problem to sell papers in response to the defence.
McClymont Alleges She Did Not Report On Alan Jones For Profits Or Views
During cross-examination by Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, McClymont said, “There is also a profit motive to stories for a newspaper?… The story has to sell papers, doesn’t it?”
McClymont said profit was “not [her] problem”.
Bashir followed up by asking if “stories are published to increase the readership of print papers to get clicks online.”
“No,” McClymont replied.
When asked by Bashir if a popular article would help the SMH to make “more money”, she told the court: “As I said, that’s not my area of expertise.”
McClymont Accused Of “Hit Job On Morrison”
McClymont also rejected suggestions that one of her articles was a “hit job” on former 2GB employee Jason Morrison.
Morrison had previously taken McClymont to task because his on-the-record denial that he did not witness Alan Jones grope a colleague under the table was initially left out of her reporting.
The denial was finally included in the January 2024 Sydney Morning Herald article and was paired with reports that Morrison was poised to take over Jones’ new broadcast venture.
McClymont has firmly denied that the article was designed to make Morrison look bad.
Trial Pauses For Melbourne Cup
Judge Flenn Walsh briefly stopped the trial for the Melbourne Cup, choosing to take the optional break then.
Walsh suggested before McClymont was called back to the box after the lunch break that there was a “particular race” the former 2GB broadcaster might be interested in at 3 pm. Jones was heard laughing at this comment.
The trial continues.
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