Walkley awards ban chequebook journalism after controversy over Seven’s Bruce Lehrmann interview

Spotlight’s scoop of the year nomination was revoked after court heard it paid former Liberal staffer’s rent to secure interview

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The Walkley awards will ban chequebook journalism after the Spotlight program was nominated for scoop of the year for an interview with Bruce Lehrmann secured by paying $100,000 for his rent on top of expenses for dining, entertainment and golf trips.

During Lehrmann’s defamation trial the federal court heard claims that he discussed payment of about $200,000 for his participation in an interview and was reimbursed by the network for money spent on cocaine and sex workers, which were euphemistically invoiced as “pre-production expenses”.

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