Alan Jones's indecent assault and sexual touching trial continued in Sydney's NSW Local Court on Tuesday, with Sydney Morning Herald chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont giving evidence about the newspaper's coverage of the former broadcaster, according to SMH.com.au. McClymont is due back in the witness box on Wednesday, where her testimony is expected to resume at roughly 11.30am after another witness gives brief evidence before the morning tea break. The hearing resumes at 10am.
Jones, 85, is on trial on 19 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent. The charges relate to five male complainants and cover alleged conduct between 2003 and 2020. The former 2GB broadcaster has entered not guilty pleas to all counts and denies that the alleged physical acts took place.
Why it matters
The case places a prominent Australian media figure at the centre of a criminal trial, and it has drawn attention not only to the allegations but to the reporting that brought them into public view. McClymont, one of the country's best-known investigative journalists, is being questioned about the Herald's articles as part of the proceedings, per SMH.com.au. Her appearance on the stand puts the journalism itself under scrutiny alongside the evidence of the complainants.
Questions over motive for the coverage
Coverage of Tuesday's hearing indicates that McClymont was challenged over whether there was a financial or other incentive behind the newspaper's reporting. ABC News reported that the journalist rejected the suggestion of a "profit motive" for running stories about Jones. The New Daily reported that the court heard there was "no benefit" to the alleged victims from the news articles.
The specifics of those exchanges, including who put the propositions to McClymont and how she responded in detail, were not set out in the material available for this report. What is clear is that the defence line of questioning has moved beyond the alleged conduct and into the circumstances in which the allegations became public.
A trial briefly paused for the Melbourne Cup
The proceedings have also had moments of ordinary scheduling. The Guardian reported that the judge paused the trial so that Jones, a former broadcaster, could watch the Melbourne Cup. The interruption came during a hearing that otherwise follows the usual rhythm of witness evidence in the Local Court, with sessions breaking for morning tea and resuming through the day.
What to watch
McClymont's evidence is set to continue on Wednesday morning, with the court first hearing briefly from another witness. The trial remains ongoing, and Jones continues to deny the charges against him.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
