TV wars: Nine’s critique of Seven over Lehrmann interview branded hypocritical

Nine’s criticism of rival Seven’s handling of the Bruce Lehrmann saga has been branded ‘self-righteous’ and ‘delusional’, with industry sources pointing out their rich history of cheque book journalism.

While there’s nothing new about cheque book journalism, Nine criticising Seven for their handling of the Bruce Lehrmann saga has been branded “self-righteous” and “delusional”.

Seven Network has recently been put on public trial over its journalistic ethics surrounding Lehrmann and the fact they paid his fortnightly rent of $4000 for a period in June, plus allegedly forked out thousands of dollars for drugs and massages in exchange for exclusive access to the former Liberal staffer (although Seven strongly denies allegations related to spending on drugs and massages).

And Nine were quick to fuel the fire, with an editorial criticising their opposition for the “unredeemed squalor” that exists at the Spotlight program which has “tawdry standards” and a “slothful” way of “buying scoops”.

However many have suggested Nine — which has a lengthy history of paying for stories — shouldn’t throw stones.

A TV source said of Channel 9’s stance: “Talk about a pot calling a kettle black, Nine’s kitchen is full of them. “They are talking from a very weak base if you look at their record of over-the-top payments to people, and this holier than thou attitude that not only diminishes them but the whole industry.”

Chanell 7 has paid dearly for its exclusive interview with Bruce Lehrmann. Picture: Nikki Short

Many in the industry claim Nine were “the pioneers” of cheque book journalism, starting way back with Ray Martin’s 1986 interview with Lindy Chamberlain after her release from prison.

In 1992, James Scott reportedly received $250,000 from Nine for his story about being lost in the Himalayas for 43 days without food and in freezing conditions.

Nine’s paid interview with Lindy Chamberlain was believed to be the start of cheque book journalism in Australia.

Doctor James Scott reportedly received $250,000 to talk about his Himalayan ordeal.

In 1995 Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister, and his then fiancee Blanche d’Alpuget sold the story of their romance to Nine’s 60 Minutes for a rumoured six-figure sum.

In 2002, actor Belinda Emmett, who died in 2006, was paid $250,000 by 60 Minutes to talk about her cancer battle.

In 2003 Natasha Ryan was paid $200,000 by 60 Minutes for the story of how she hid in a Rockhampton cupboard for five years, feared dead, while a serial killer was falsely charged with her murder in April 2003.

In 2005 Mamdoub Habib was paid $200,000 for an exclusive interview to 60 Minutes after spending three years in US military custody during the “War On Terror”.

Tasmanian miners Todd Russell (left) and Brant Webb (centre) received $2.6 million from Nine. Picture: Getty

The following year, Brant Webb and Todd Russell were paid $2.6 million by the Nine network for a 2-hour special entitled The Great Escape in a deal brokered by Eddie McGuire.

Two years later, Mohamed Haneef was paid between $150,000 and $200,000 by 60 Minutes for the story of his wrongful detainment for allegedly aiding terrorists, resulting in his deportation to India. The charge was unsustainable and was quickly dropped.

In 2011 Brendan Fevola was paid a six-figure package by Nine after he revealed he had attempted to take his own life and gambled away more than a million dollars

One year later, Gordon Wood, who was acquitted of murdering his girlfriend Caroline Byrne in 1995, was paid at least $200,000 to talk to 60 Minutes.

In 2014, Nine reportedly paid Gerard Baden-Clay’s former mistress, Toni McHugh a six figure sum to dish the dirt on the wife killer.

Also that year, 60 Minutes paid charity Hands Across the Water, for an interview with the Australian parents who left a baby with Down’s syndrome with his surrogate mother in Thailand.

Nine paid Gable Tostee about $150,000 for his exclusive account of his Tinder date who died after falling from his apartment balcony

In 2016, disgraced author Belle Gibson was secretly paid $75,000 for appearing on 60 Minutes, after her global cancer hoax and charity fraud were exposed.

This was also the year which saw a 60 Minutes crew, led by reporter Tara Brown and four of the TV program’s crew temporarily jailed in Beirut after attempting to ‘recover’ Australian woman Sally Faulkner’s children from the streets of Beirut.

They were charged with kidnapping, assault, hiding information and criminal conspiracy, however all charges were dropped.

It was proved that Nine directly paid tens of thousands of dollars to a former Australian soldier to snatch back the two children in Beirut.

Plus US$500,000 to the children’s father Ali Elamine.

Nine also paid between $750,000 and $1 million in a settlement with producer Stephen Rice, who was the only person fired after the fiasco.

All up the costs were over $3 million.

In the same year, Nine paid Gable Tostee about $150,000 for his exclusive account of his Tinder date with Warriena Wright, who died after falling from his apartment balcony.

In 2017, Cocaine Cassie’s mother Lisa Evans and Khala Sainsbury signed an estimated $1 million deal with Channel 9 to capture their trip to Colombia.

And in 2022, abducted four-year-old Cleo Smith’s parents were reportedly paid $2 million for a tell-all interview with 60 Minutes where they opened up about how their daughter was coping in the wake of the ordeal.

This isn’t the first time Nine and Seven have gone head to head.

In a high “steaks” legal stoush in 2015, Channel 7 tried to have Channel 9’s new cooking show The Hotplate taken off the air on the basis that the show infringed Seven’s copyright of My Kitchen Rules.

In 2016, Channel 7 launched a statement of claim in the Federal Court to stop Channel 9 running promo spots on air claiming that Today is the highest rating breakfast show.
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