Latest news with #NineNetwork
Daily Mail
05-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Family of former A Current Affair star make a chilling threat as he faces court on child abuse charges
The family of a reporter who made his name on A Current Affair has reacted angrily when approached by media after he was charged with more than 60 offences related to child abuse material. Ben McCormack, once a gung-ho Nine Network newsman, was charged on Saturday with 65 counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material in Queensland. McCormack is accused of committing the alleged offences over several months last year at a home in Oxley, in Brisbane 's south. The 51-year-old, who gained fame tracking down paedophile Hey Dad! actor Robert Hughes, had been living with his parents at a house in Oxley before his arrest. An elderly couple believed to be McCormack's parents Carmel and Patrick did not wish to talk when approached in the driveway of that Oxley address on Tuesday afternoon. 'No comment,' the woman told the Daily Mail. 'And would you please leave the premises unless you've got a warrant. 'Leave the premises immediately otherwise I will call the police.' When told that request would be immediately met, the woman said: 'I think that's a wise thing to do - you don't muck around with this family.' McCormack is accused of transmitting audio files, which amounted to child abuse material, on 65 occasions from his home. He has also been charged with four offences involving alleged breaches of his reporting obligations as an offender under the state's child protection laws. The charges were briefly mentioned in Brisbane Arrest Court on Monday when Legal Aid duty lawyer Zane Playle made no application for bail. McCormack was not required to appear in person and his case is due to return to Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 5. As well as being the face of many of A Current Affair's consumer stories, McCormack played a key role in exposing Robert Hughes. Hughes was found guilty in 2014 of 10 charges relating to sexual and indecent acts perpetrated on four young girls in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2010, after allegations of Hughes' abuse first came to light, McCormack confronted the former sitcom star in Singapore. He phoned victim Sarah Monahan the result of Hughes' 2014 trial after watching the guilty verdict in the courtroom. McCormack joined Nine in the 1990s before quickly climbing up the ranks and becoming a senior reporter for A Current Affair. He was well known for covering topics such as consumer affairs and social justice issues. McCormack was previously described by Nine as a '25 year veteran of the network' before his employment came to an abrupt end in 2017. He was initially suspended by the network before he resigned.
The Australian
04-08-2025
- The Australian
Benjamin Stephen McCormack: Former A Current Affair journalist charged with 60+ child abuse material offences
Former A Current Affair journalist Ben McCormack is back in court after being charged with more than 60 child abuse material offences. Mr McCormack, a former high-profile TV journalist with the Nine Network, had his matter mentioned in the Brisbane Arrests Court on Monday. He is charged with 65 counts of using a carriage service to 'transmit, make available, publish, distribute, advertise or promote' child abuse material, three counts of failing to comply with his reporting obligations and a single count of giving false or misleading information. According to court documents, the carriage service charges relate to allegations Mr McCormack transmitted audio files considered to be child abuse material on diverse dates over April to November last year. The three reporting charges concern allegations he failed to notify child protection authorities about details concerning a social media site, 'digital devices' and a carriage service. His last charge alleges he gave false or misleading information about a 'carriage service start date' to authorities. Mr McCormack's matter was adjourned to September 5 on request by his lawyer. He remains in custody on remand. Blake Antrobus Court reporter Blake Antrobus covers Queensland courts and crime for NCA NewsWire. He began his career in journalism in 2015, migrating from Sydney's northern beaches to southwest Queensland. He has covered politics, crime, education and general news for newspapers across the state. NewsWire NSW Police are reviewing footage of an officer allegedly pushing a woman to the ground during a dramatic arrest after a car was damaged outside a school. NewsWire Flights have been delayed as thousands of passengers were forced to be rescreened for security from Brisbane Airport following a technical fault.
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- News.com.au
Former TV journalist Benjamin McCormack charged with more than 60 child abuse material offences
Former A Current Affair journalist Ben McCormack is back in court after being charged with more than 60 child abuse material offences. Mr McCormack, a former high-profile TV journalist with the Nine Network, had his matter mentioned in the Brisbane Arrests Court on Monday. He is charged with 65 counts of using a carriage service to 'transmit, make available, publish, distribute, advertise or promote' child abuse material, three counts of failing to comply with his reporting obligations and a single count of giving false or misleading information. According to court documents, the carriage service charges relate to allegations Mr McCormack transmitted audio files considered to be child abuse material on diverse dates over April to November last year. The three reporting charges concern allegations he failed to notify child protection authorities about details concerning a social media site, 'digital devices' and a carriage service. His last charge alleges he gave false or misleading information about a 'carriage service start date' to authorities. Mr McCormack's matter was adjourned to September 5 on request by his lawyer. He remains in custody on remand.
Sky News AU
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Married At First Sight experts admit they ‘can't really avoid' controversial contestants after Nine came under fire for show violence
Married At First Sight experts Alessandra Rapolla and John Aiken have made a huge admission about controversial contestants joining the reality TV juggernaut - that seem to fly in the face of network's desire to keep the show's drama "out of the courtroom". Speaking to at the 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards at Sydney's The Star on Sunday evening, Rampolla and Aiken divulged details about how the Nine Network will clean up the reality dating show in 2026. Nine has implemented stricter background checks, more in-depth psychological screening, and tough guidelines aimed at avoiding another police scandal after groom Paul Antoine punched a wall last season. However, Rampolla said the network and production company Endemol Shine Australia still "can't really avoid" having questionable cast members on the show. "We're just beginning the filming (for the 2026 season), and the checks and balances are there previously," the clinical sexologist said. "But then also people can choose to disclose or not disclose (their background). "And they can choose to act a certain way and then reveal themselves through many months of filming and all the stresses that go into that." "So you can't really avoid if somebody is perhaps willingly trying to be deceptive." Rampolla said the experts will nevertheless always "call out" and "bring about" different ways of managing deceptive brides and grooms. "And really find a good, safe resolution," she said. Aiken echoed his co-expert, saying the duo, along with their third counterpart, dating coach Mel Schilling, will help mitigate the risk of cast members being aggressive next year. "We're always very, very strong on checks and balances," he said. "What we found as experts is that people will surprise us all the time, and then it's what we do to manage it." Elaborating on the changes to the next season as filming gets underway, Aiken said many "strong women" who are culturally diverse are set to walk down the aisle to shoot their shot at finding love on TV in 2026. "We have a lot of strong women on the show this year, which I think will bring different mindsets, different perspectives, which is great, but also culturally as well. We wanted to bring different cultures in there," he said. An insider last month told the final weeks of pre-production were stressful, with the show at risk of losing strong brides. 'We struggled a bit locking in the last few grooms,' the source said. 'We had some really strong women and didn't want to lose them, so it was a bit of a puzzle to get the right matches.' It comes as a NSW Police spokesperson told "no further police action is expected" following last year's investigation into the program after groom Paul Antoine's violent act, in which he admitted to punching a hole in a wall during filming while arguing with his onscreen "wife". MAFS producers are promising a 'fresh take' on the dating show's format, which has dominated Australian reality TV for more than a decade. Nine executives reportedly issued a very clear directive: 'Go hard on challenging the participants, but keep the drama out of the courtroom.' 'Safe Work was also heavily involved in reviewing the show's future, and Channel Nine has taken their recommendations very seriously,' a network insider said. 'They want compelling TV but not at the expense of cast wellbeing or legal risk.' While Channel Nine has yet to confirm an official air date for the next season, MAFS season 13 is expected to premiere in January 2026. have reached out to the Nine Network for further comment.
Daily Mail
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Allison Langdon teases her VERY surprising celebrity crush at the 2025 Logie Awards
Allison Langdon left fans guessing on Sunday night after she dropped a cheeky hint about her mystery celebrity crush while walking the red carpet at the 2025 Logie Awards. The A Current Affair host, 46, was all smiles as she spoke to Daily Mail ahead of the ceremony. Langdon is nominated for the coveted Gold Logie thanks to her acclaimed work on the Nine Network's flagship current affairs program and the network's broadcast of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. When asked whether she'd rather win a Logie or win over her celebrity crush, Ally couldn't help but laugh before delivering a playful tease. 'You know what, I don't even know if I have one… but yes… but tough question,' she said with a smirk. The veteran TV presenter then went coy, refusing to name names - but dropped a bombshell hint that had onlookers buzzing. 'That's not a celebrity… I don't know if I'm gonna reveal,' she teased, before adding: 'He may be here tonight… oh, so is my husband. Allison cut a show-stopping figure on the red carpet in a strapless black velvet gown featuring a daring thigh-high split that showcased her toned legs. The figure-hugging number accentuated her trim frame, while she teamed the look with classic black pointed-toe heels and sparkling diamond drop earrings. She completed her ensemble with a silver bracelet and soft, voluminous waves framing her face, along with a glowing makeup look that featured a nude lip and defined eyes. Allison previously hit back at criticism from people who 'don't like' ACA while accepting an award at the 2024 Logie Awards. She was recognised for her hosting role earlier this year when she won the Silver Logie for Best News or Public Affairs Presenter. She beat out the ABC's David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, Channel Nine's Liz Hayes and Peter Overton, and Seven's Michael Usher to take home the esteemed gong. During her acceptance speech, Allison paid tribute to her predecessor Tracy Grimshaw and hit back at people who 'don't like' the news program. 'To Trace who I love, she's the one who always said the people who don't like our show, don't know our show,' she said. 'To Mike Munro, Ray Martin, and everyone who has been in this role, thank you.' Taking home the award in August, Allison also said she pours her 'heart and soul' into her job as she shared her pride at taking home the Silver Logie. 'When you hear all [the nominees], you definitely don't expect yours to be the one called out,' she began. 'Everything we do is with heart and soul. If a story doesn't have heart and soul, we just don't do it. 'I look at those who've sat in this chair before me, right back to my father-in-law [Mike Willesee] who started this show. 'It would be wonderful if he could have seen the family connection and where that played out.' Allison joined the Nine Network program at the start of 2023 after leaving the Today show following a three-year stint.
