Channel Nine is thinking of taking over from the Department of Public Prosecutions in the Falconio case.It appears corporate media interests have taken control of previous government responsibilities to prosecute alleged offenders who have been charged with an offence in Australia.
Now that Channel 9 has launched an appeal in the Falconio case and it appears they've decided to make the news themselves because (as it happens) they're appealing in the case that they're reporting about, and delaying the committal.
But by being involved themselves a reasonable argument could be raised that they have more than a conflict of interest including corporate sales to prospective tourists.
What has caused this new transformation in criminal justice practice?
Could it be the 70 billion a year tourist dollar?
Or is it that they not only want justice to be seen to be done, they want to prosecute the alleged offender themselves, so they can make sure that it is done?
Channel Nine will today appeal to have suppressed sections of the Crown's opening address lifted in the case of the man accused of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio.
The appeal will be heard before the full bench of the Northern Territory Supreme Court.
Channel 9's appeal has pushed back the proceedings in Bradley John Murdoch's committal hearing.
Mr Murdoch who was framed in any case now has to stay in jail longer because of ch/9 delaying the DPP's committal. Not fair! What kind of reporting is that?
He has been charged with Mr Falconio's murder and the deprivation of liberty and unlawful assault of Joanne Lees in Central Australia almost three years ago.
Mr Murdoch has not been required to enter a plea.
The first week's proceedings were filled with legal debate and adjournments with only about two hours of evidence being heard in the case.
Two witnesses took the stand, Peter's brother Paul Falconio and Joanne Lees, who is expected to continue her evidence tomorrow.
MILAT WAS FRAMED FOR TOURISM $$$$$
At Ivan Milat's trial justice was not seen to be done. An old Victorian court was refurbished at a cost of $750,000. There was only space enough for 35 members of the public. The press and other media sources were "duchessed". Representatives of the overseas media were well in attendance. Australia by the time of Milat's trial had won the right to stage the 2000 Olympic games. The show trial needed to show the prospective International punters that Australia was a safe place to visit.
Similarity? Azaria Chamberlain, Lindy Chamberlain, Michael Chamberlain, dingo, dingoes, Australia, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs, infanticide, filicide, dingoes killed Azaria. Who ate the baby really?
The tourist industry ate Azaria too. Corporate media at it's best. Perhaps it comes under the heading "Still the One" but it has nothing to do with justice.
By DPP 24 May 04
THE DOG: Any delay in a case that keeps and innocent man in jail longer than he should be kept in jail should have caused any media interests in the case to butt out and mind their own corporate business.
Australia to see the light on tourism
And the Australian ruling class will lock up and frame-up, for 'life', anyone for a crime against any 'backpacker or holiday maker from overseas' no matter whether they were 'guilty or not' and no matter whether they 'found any dead bodies' or whether they found any 'weapon that killed a tourist' and even if there is only 'flawed circumstantial evidence' and 'trial by media' to prove their case. The inbound and domestic tourism industry contributes $70 billion to the economy and employs 500,000.
Related:
Bradley Murdoch committal, lawyer calls for fair hearing
The lawyer of the man accused of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio has spoken to the media in Darwin.
Peter Beattie nominated as Australian of the year: Howard
Bradley Murdoch the man alleged to have murdered English tourist Peter Falconio who has been acquitted of rape and abduction charges in the South Australian District Court.
Tourist dollar drives set-up for crime
The man alleged to have murdered English tourist Peter Falconio has been acquitted of rape and abduction charges in the South Australian District Court. Bradley John Murdoch, 45, was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of indecent assault after an alleged incident in South Australia's Riverland in August last year.
