Andrew Laming gives evidence to probe into Nine News Walkley Award

Former Bowman MP Andrew Laming will give evidence to a probe into the Walkley Awards, the country’s highest accolade for journalists, after he successfully sued Nine News over the winning report.

An investigation into the country’s highest awards for journalists will include evidence from former federal MP Andrew Laming.

An independent review into awarding the 2021 Walkley Award for Television and Video News was launched this month after Mr Laming successfully sued Nine News over one of the winning reports, which included claims about a photo Mr Laming took.

Mr Laming said he was relieved that the Walkley Foundation would incorporate his perspective as a part of the independent investigation into that award.

“I know that there is a huge amount of material that both parties can make available to the investigation should they elect to.”

The Walkley Awards are the country’s top accolades for journalists.

Documents that are part of the investigation, including emails and correspondence, cannot be made public.

Nine News reporters Peter Fegan and Rebeka Powell won the country’s highest award for Television and Video News Reporting in February for their March 2021 report about Mr Laming and the photo.

This month, Nine apologised to Mr Laming for the false claims about the photograph after a Federal Court ruling which is believed to have cost the network close to $1 million.

Mr Laming said the story caused him “hurt and humiliation”.

“Serious allegations were made about Dr Laming in that report and he sued Nine because of it,” Nine said in an apology published on the Walkley Award website.

“9News has now seen material which indicates that the photograph Dr Laming took was not lewd in nature.

“9News unreservedly withdraws those allegations about Dr Laming and apologises to him and his family for the hurt and harm caused by the report.”

The Walkley Foundation directors commissioned the independent review into awarding the reporters the prestigious accolade following the ruling.

“The Walkley Foundation has given awards to recognise Australian journalism since 1956, and regularly reviews its processes,” the Foundation said.

“The review of this particular award will be conducted by individuals with no connection to the work under examination.”

The Walkley Award Foundation was contacted and said it was unable to make further comment and had withdrawn a previous statement published on September 14.

Nine News said it was not appropriate to comment with an inquiry under way.

The Nine News reporters were also recipients of Queensland’s top reporting award when they won a Clarion Award for their television report.

Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance, which hosts the Clarion Awards, said it was aware of the apology issued to Andrew Laming by 9News Queensland during legal proceedings and was considering the matter.