Costello defends Nine settlement

Nine Network Chairman Peter Costello has acknowledged Nine’s settlement with Ali Elamine to secure the release of the 60 Minutes crew, but without detail on the amount involved.

“Our legal team in Lebanon reached a settlement with Mr Elamine relating to the charges against the 60 Minutes crew in detention, which was approved by the Lebanese judge in accordance with Lebanese law,” he told News Corp.

“This settlement resulted in their release.

“We have no further comment on the details of that settlement.”

The statement follows Ali Elamine given to The Project this week in which he denied money was part of his deal with Nine.

It also follows Nine saying it could not comment on any payments it had made, and that it would not comment while an internal review was underway.

Yesterday the Prime Minister said he expected various regulatory agencies would be interested in Nine’s activities, in relation to the saga.

“Like all Australians, broadcasters should respect the laws of the countries in which they operate,” Communications Minister Mitch Fifield told The Weekend Australian.

“The ACMA, as the independent regulator, has the powers it needs to determine whether there have been any potential breaches of Australian broadcast regulation.”

“The ACMA is continuing to monitor developments,” a spokeswoman for the media watchdog said.