Channel Nine has been forced to issue an apology to former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce after mistakenly using his name in a graphic during a segment about an alleged sexual assault trial.
Broadcaster Alan Jones on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to 34 charges linked to alleged indecent assaults against young men spanning almost two decades.
During Nine News Sydney’s coverage of the case, a caption appeared in the segment with the name Alan Joyce, instead of Alan Jones, who was pictured addressing the media.
‘Earlier in our report on the allegations against Alan Jones, an incorrect name graphic was run and we apologise for that error,’ newsreader Georgie Gardner said later in program.
It comes as Jones was hit with new charges after accusations were levelled by a tenth alleged victim, who claimed the embattled broadcaster repeatedly kissed him and grabbed his genitals.
Shortly before his appearance at the Downing Centre Local Court, an additional eight indecent assault charges were laid in connection to the tenth complainant, taking the charges against Jones to 34, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under his authority.
The new allegations from ‘Complainant J’ include that Jones kissed him on the mouth, touched his genitalia and that he on one occasion squeezed Complainant J’s penis as he masturbated his own, court documents seen by The Australian allege.
Supporting himself with the help of a cane, the 83-year-old emphatically denied the allegations after a brief hearing at Sydney‘s Downing Centre Local Court.
Nine News Sydney newsreader Georgie Gardner was forced to issue a grovelling on-air apology on Wednesday night
During Nine’s coverage of the case, a caption appeared with the name Alan Joyce, instead of Alan Jones
‘I am certainly not guilty and I’ll be presenting my account to a jury as you’ve heard this morning,’ Jones told the scrum of waiting media.
‘These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth.’
Jones said that he was given no opportunity by police to respond to any of the claims prior t his arrest.
‘I have never indecently assaulted these people… I am emphatic that I’ll be defending every charge before a jury in due course,’ he said.
Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court his client welcomed the opportunity to clear his name at a trial before a jury.
‘There have been many … untruths published by the media and the police in this matter,’ Mr Wrench said.
‘The arrests were very much choreographed and scripted. He was always going to meet these allegations.’
The previously laid charges concern alleged offences that took place between 2001 and 2019, with the youngest of the complainants then aged 17.
The alleged offences occurred in Jones’ former Newtown residence, his luxury Circular Quay apartment, and at Fitzroy Falls and Mittagong in the Southern Highlands.
Previous allegations levelled against Jones include that he rubbed the inner thigh and genitals of multiple former employees and attempted to kiss others on the mouth and squeezed their bottoms.
With the case drawing a large amount of media interest, Chief Magistrate Michael Allen was forced to ask some journalists to wait outside the court while other matters were called.
‘The court will get to the matter which I’m sure is interesting most of you at the appropriate juncture,’ he said.
Broadcaster Alan Jones was hit with another eight charges shortly before he fronted a Sydney court on Wednesday (pictured) over historic allegations including indecent assault
Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench (pictured standing to his left) told the court his client would welcome a trial before a jury to clear his name
Police arrested the renowned broadcaster at his luxury apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay in November.
Another alleged victim came forward soon after the highly publicised arrest, resulting in authorities bringing two additional charges at that time.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb previously said it was anticipated other complainants would come forward after the allegations became public.
‘There’s no such thing as a matter that’s too old to be investigated,’ she said.
‘What I’d say to alleged victims is that there is… you will be listened to and we will take your matter seriously.’
Jones began a hugely influential life on the airwaves in 1985 after a failed career in politics, becoming a feared interviewer who excelled at grilling leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken, conservative views.
He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.
These included a grand slam of wins on their British Isles tour in 1984 and coaching the side to Australia’s first Bledisloe Cup win in New Zealand in 39 years in 1986.
Strike Force Bonnefin was stood up in March to investigate media reports airing allegations of abuse by Jones.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
