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Nine to defend ACA staff

After charges are laid against a reporter and producer, Nine defends its report on A Current Affair prevented a murder.

aca2-logoThe Nine Network says it will defend a hidden-camera report, over which A Current Affair reporter Ben Fordham has been charged for posing as an alleged hitman’s accomplice.

Nine claims the story, which aired on ACA in May last year, prevented a murder.

Fordham, 32, and his producer Andrew Byrne, 47, are accused of concealing a serious crime, but also face action for alleged breaches of the Listening Devices Act, along with the network.

“Nine, of course, will be supporting the defence, and the charges will be fought vigorously,’’ the network said in a brief statement.

“This follows a story broadcast in May 2008 and a subsequent police investigation by Homicide Squad detectives,’’ a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

“No further information will be released at this time while the legal proceedings are in progress.’’

A 71-year-old Sydney man, who was the subject of the report, has also been charged with solicit to murder and two counts of recruiting a person to engage in criminal activity.

The two Nine employees face fines and up to two years’ jail, while the network faces penalties of up to $55,000.

Fordham and Byrne are to appear in North Sydney Local Court on May 26.

Source: The Australian,