Another news story that I thought may spark some conversation.
** Taking Laws into his own hands **
John Laws is probably the most prominant radio announcer in Australia. Highly opinionated and ocasionally arrogant the high profile identity is both respected and hated throughout the country. Two years ago the talback radio host rang a juror of a contentious muder case in which two men were acquitted. The juror said she felt browbeaten into the decision. It’s against the law to solicit information from a juror. Laws’ defence? He didn’t know it was illegal. Yes, that’s right a long-time radio host who didn’t know the fundamentals of broadcasting law. But it gets better: he gets found guilty of soliciting a juror and then gets a slap on the wrist: a 15 month suspended sentance.
verdict: well I think my distaste has shown through in the telling of the tale but I have to say it reflects very poorly on the man’s ethics and professionalism and his claim of ignorance mocks common sense.
I think he should have been made an example of. Such abuse of the legal system can only undermine the authority of the court, and put more pressure on jurors and prospective jurors.
[kevin kline]Disappointed![/k]
Oh I was looking forward to seeing him go to jail. A real shame.
My guess is that the US Dopers may find it curious that interviewing a juror is a serious criminal offence punishable in NSW by up to 7 years. The crime is in soliciting the information, the reasoning being that badgering jurors to tell what went on in the jury room has the capacity to corrupt the judicial process.
IIRC some of Laws’ activities in last year’s Cash for Comments scandal may have landed him in serious trouble in the US. Laws (and others) accepted large amounts (up to $1m) of money for editorial comment favorable to clients and failed to disclose this to listeners.
The scandal broke when Laws expressed surprise on air when a representative of the banking industry rang him to “add some balance” to the debate about the behaviour of banks. The whole thing had been set up prior to this and large sums of money changed hands. Laws’ defence was IIRc in two bits: it didn’t change his opinion; and he is an entertainer not a journo.
Well he’s certainly not a journo. Getting paid millions of dollars in free travel, goods and cash to casually talk about or mention businesses thereby giving them added credibility and exposure (as compared to an ad) Direct to him of course not through the radio station.
And what happened then? He got another slap on the wrist.
In fact he’s also been convicted of contempt of court before for calling someone “Scum, absolute scum” thought the details elude me.
He should have gone to jail this time. Would a commentator of lesser stature escaped with such a piddly fine? Methinks not.