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Investigative journalist Kate McClymont gives evidence in Alan Jones indecent assault trial

By · Via The Guardian · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The criminal case against Alan Jones at the Downing Centre local court centers on 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching involving five men. Testifying about her reporting process, investigative journalist Kate McClymont confirmed that she kept the accounts of the three alleged victims she interviewed strictly confidential from one another and offered no benefits for their participation. She also rejected suggestions that newspaper readership metrics influenced her investigative reporting. The proceedings continue before Judge Glenn Walsh following Jones's late 2024 arrest at his apartment.

Key points

  • McClymont maintained strict source confidentiality between the complainants she interview…: McClymont maintained strict source confidentiality between the complainants she interviewed prior to receiving a subpoena for her notes and recordings.
  • The journalist rejected defense suggestions that advertising figures and newspaper sales…: The journalist rejected defense suggestions that advertising figures and newspaper sales held relevance to her reporting on the allegations.
  • Jones was arrested in late 2024 following the Strike Force Bonnefin inquiry, years after…: Jones was arrested in late 2024 following the Strike Force Bonnefin inquiry, years after his broadcasting career ended in 2020.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The Sydney Morning Herald’s chief investigative reporter, Kate McClymont, has told a Sydney court the alleged victims of Alan Jones she interviewed received no benefit from her or the media company for telling their stories.

McClymont, whose 2023 articles led to other alleged victims coming forward, is giving evidence in the lengthy trial of the former broadcaster who is facing 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching against five men.

Several men detailed claims of indecent assault against Jones in McClymont’s articles, including that he groped or inappropriately touched them without their consent.

Police say they formed Strike Force Bonnefin after McClymont’s reporting in the Herald and the Age resulted in alleged victims coming forward.

At the Downing Centre local court on Tuesday, Jones was supported by men’s rights activist Bettina Arndt and defamation lawyer Paul Svilans from Mark O’Brien Legal.

McClymont, who has won 10 Walkley awards for excellence in journalism, was supported by the editor of the SMH, Jordan Baker, and the deputy editor, Nick Ralston.

McClymont told the court she always sought comment from Jones and…

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