Channel Seven's Spotlight program won scoop of the year at the Kennedy Awards for an interview with Anthony Koletti, husband of missing fraudster Melissa Caddick, without disclosing that Koletti was paid $150,000 for the interview. The payment was revealed during an inquest into Caddick's death.
Anna Magnus, general manager of the Kennedy Awards, confirmed that entrants are currently not required to disclose payments for interviews or information. The board will review its policy on chequebook journalism disclosures following the revelation.
Australia has a history of such practices, including Nine's $75,000 payment to disgraced wellness blogger Belle Gibson in 2015 and a $2 million payment for exclusive access to the family of abduction survivor Chloe Smith. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance's code of ethics requires disclosure of payments, a condition also applied to the Walkley Awards.
A Seven spokesperson defended the story, stating it complied with all conditions of entry. The controversy has sparked debate about transparency in journalism awards.
