Journalist testifies that Jones trial witnesses gained no personal benefit
Kate McClymont states in court that the men she interviewed for the Sydney Morning Herald received nothing from her or her employer for sharing their accounts.
By Elena Vargas ·
Investigative journalist Kate McClymont told a Sydney court on Tuesday that the men she interviewed regarding the alleged misconduct of Alan Jones received no benefit from her or the Sydney Morning Herald for sharing their stories. McClymont, the Herald’s chief investigative reporter, gave evidence in the trial of the former broadcaster, who faces 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching against five men.
Prosecutor Georgina Wright questioned McClymont about her handling of the source material. McClymont confirmed she had spoken with three of the alleged victims and had kept each man’s account confidential from the others. She stated that she had always contacted Jones and his legal team via text message and email to seek comment before publishing her reports in 2023.
The court heard that McClymont did not initially provide police with her interview recordings or notes because the material was considered confidential or unavailable. She received a subpoena for the records in 2026. Under cross-examination by defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC, McClymont said that readership figures and advertising metrics had no relevance to her journalistic work.
Bashir examined records of calls and emails between McClymont, columnist Peter FitzSimons, and reporter Jennifer Duke dating back to 2017. Bashir alleged in her opening statement that the investigation was driven by the hatred and jealousy of Ray Hadley, Jones’s rival at 2GB. McClymont testified that FitzSimons had been working on allegations concerning Jones since October 2017. Her investigation continued for several years before publication in December 2023.
Police stated that the coverage in the Herald and the Age prompted alleged victims to come forward and led to the establishment of Strike Force Bonnefin. McClymont, a winner of 10 Walkley awards, was supported in court by Herald editor Jordan Baker and deputy editor Nick Ralston.
Alan Jones, 85, attended the Downing Centre local court accompanied by men’s rights activist Bettina Arndt and defamation lawyer Paul Svilans. Jones’s radio career ended abruptly in 2020 after on-air incidents cost the station advertisers and revenue. He had been retired from his $4m-a-year 2GB breakfast program for four years when New South Wales police arrested him at his city apartment in late 2024. The hearing before Judge Glenn Walsh continues.
Source: The Guardian
