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Nine denies “Bali boy” deal for 60 Minutes

Updated: Nine denies the family of the 14 year old Australian boy facing drug charges in Bali has signed a six-figure deal for his story.

The family of the 14 year old Australian boy facing drug charges in Bali is understood to have signed a deal with the Nine Network.

Media reports claim the deal for 60 Minutes, Nine News, and ACP magazines to be worth between $200,000 – $300,000.

Seven is also understood to have bid heavily for the story for Sunday Night.

Nine’s managing director, Jeffrey Browne, finalised the deal negotiated by celebrity publicist Grant Vandenberg. It was signed off by the CEO, David Gyngell.

But the deal may anger Indonesian prosecutors and judges, and could impede attempts to have the boy released. The payout could also breach Australian laws against profiting from criminal offences.

A Nine spokesperson could not confirm the deal but told TV Tonight a number of media had been pursuing the story.

“It seems likely it’s fallen our way …but as I understand it, (it’s) not absolutely dotted and crossed.”

Nine landing the story would also be ironic given Nine News revealed the boy’s identity several weeks ago with Nine News boss Mark Calvert defending that the internet and social media sites were awash with his name and photos.

60 Minutes will reportedly film footage in Bali this week.

Update: Amid media stories about the timing of any media deal, Nine spokesperson David Hurley has said “there is categorically no deal with the family.”

Source: Sunday Telegraph,