“My mistake, sorry.”: Paul Barry issues correction after Bondi Junction report

Media Watch host Paul Barry has issued an online apology to SKY News presenter Laura Jayes after suggesting her report on the Bondi Junction Westfield attacks set reporters “on the trail.”

Barry implied that Laura Jayes’ coverage contributed to media attention to the family of Ashlee Good, the mother who died in hospital while her baby was in critical condition.

“Meanwhile the media were leading with the tragic story of the Sydney woman whose baby had been stabbed in her pram, with SKY’s Laura Jayes setting reporters on the trail,” he told viewers.

But on Tuesday Barry posted an apology.

Just wanted to say re last night’s @ABCmediawatch that @ljayes was very careful to protect her friend Ashlee Good’s privacy in that emotional live cross from #BondiWestfield. She didn’t ‘kick it off’, My mistake. Sorry. PB

— Paul Barry (@TheRealPBarry) April 16, 2024

However the original ABC report remains on iview, socials and the Media Watch website.

Others commended Jayes for the way she handled a live cross given she knew one of the victims.

Laura Jayes was amazing when talking about her friend. What a true professional.

— Patti (@AileenWiessner) April 17, 2024

As a Sky subscriber, Laura Jayes did a brilliant job for her viewers in the most distressing of conditions on Saturday. I have not seen anyone else do other than praise Laura’s reporting and composure under what must have been the most intensely distressing of circumstances.

— Gray Connolly (@GrayConnolly) April 16, 2024