Man charged over shocking threats to ABC investigative journalist

Shocking death threats to an ABC journalist and his family have been revealed after the arrest of a young man in regional Victoria.

Victoria Police have charged a man for allegedly sending death threats to prominent ABC journalist Mark Willacy and his family.

The charges reportedly relate to an anonymous threatening voicemail message Willacy received last month, with threats made to his wife and children, according to the ABC.

The threatening message was reported to police in November and subsequently investigated by Lara police.

“Hey Mark, how you going you f***ing paedo c***,” the caller reportedly said.

“I hope your kids get Covid and I’m going to slit your old lady’s throat, ya dog.”

ABC News reporter Mark Willacy received the threatening voice message last month. Picture: ABC

The 25-year-old Lara man has been charged with making a threat to kill and using a telecommunication device to menace.

He will appear before court next year.

Willacy, a high-profile investigative journalist who has won awards for his work, took to Twitter to thank police.

“Many thanks to the officers involved in this investigation,” he said.

Many thanks to the officers involved in this investigation.
'Victoria Police charge man with menacing and threatening ABC journalist Mark Willacy and his family' https://t.co/zQ64nJmRcF via @ABCaustralia

— Mark Willacy (@markwillacy) December 8, 2021

The former Middle East and North Asia correspondent has reported for the ABC in more than 30 countries, written two books and is renowned for his work investigating corruption.

He has won seven Walkley Awards and last year received the Gold Walkley for his reporting on alleged war crimes by Australian forces in Afghanistan.

Discussion about the story ramped up after platoon commander Heston Russell told The Sunday Project in November 2020 the claims in the story were “false”.

Shortly after the story aired, Commander Russell told the program he never personally witnessed the alleged crime.

In an open letter to the ABC, he demanded they take action and admit the story was “an appalling and preposterous lie”.

“The ABC carries the responsibility of this gross failing of basic journalistic practice,” he said.

The campaign has been aired multiple times on 2GB radio and Sky News.

The public broadcaster has maintained multiple credible sources were used in the compilation of the report.

Willacy has received a barrage of hate for the story and in recent months posted numerous times about threatening mail and disturbing videos he had received.

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