TT vs ACA

What a mess.

He said this. She said that. They lied. We’re telling the truth.

How did our current affairs programs get to be this way, and why should we put up with it?

As the fallout from the latest Corby incident ricochets, both and Today Tonight and A Current Affair went for the jugular, accusing one another of deceit.

The poor viewers are left in the middle shaking their heads. The irony is that there are no winners in this. Even short-term ratings wins by the programmes are offset by long-term cynicism from the audience. And who can blame them? The last time the audience was dubious about TT it led to a new host moving into the seat. Suddenly Naomi doesn’t look quite so clumsy anymore.

But why is ACA stooping to shooting TT? Is this a case of the pot calling the kettle black?

Somehow I don’t think the audience believes ACA has an entirely unblemished record.

In ACA‘s audio recording messages to Mercedes Corby’s phone there was no mention of the words “Liz O’Neill.” So did that mean they weren’t used, as claimed by Corby? Not necessarily.

According to a News Limited article (now itself the subject of dispute) the private investigator hired by TT admits to lying as part of his straegy to coax Corby into an interview. But he says he never used O’Neill’s name.

All of this, supposedly, is over a lie-detector test that Corby promised to take but never did. The Australian reported that weeks ago, and it’s a claim ACA will need to defend. But let’s not forget Jodi Power failed a lie detector test twice herself.

And now the private investigator is promising to take a lie detector test himself to prove he never used O’Neill’s name. He says he can’t take one until he is off medication.

So let me get this right….we’re now taking a lie detector test to prove we never used someone’s name in order to get Mercedes Corby to take a lie detector test?

I can’t keep up!

What does seem clear is that Nine has aligned itself with the Corbys (a union it forged when Ray Martin interviewed Schapelle quite some time ago). Seven has fallen down on the side of Jodi Power. Who you choose to believe in any of this brawl is up to you. The detail is now a tabloid smokescreen.

I think there is only one clear outcome for this.

Let’s get Anna Coren and Tracey Grimshaw saddled up to one great big lie detector, preferably the one used so shonkily by Big Brother last year, with Gretel Killeen as the referee.

Then we can all get some sleep.

Disclaimer: David Knox has appeared as a Media Commentator on A Current Affair.