Court injunction bars ABC from reporting on athletes' private group chat messages
Consensus Summary
The ABC faces a court injunction preventing it from reporting on private group chat messages shared by three high-profile sportsmen, who allege the messages contain crude descriptions of sexual acts and domestic violence. The messages were obtained by ABC journalist Marnie Vinall after an ex-partner of one athlete shared them with the broadcaster. The interim order, granted last week by NSW Supreme Court Justice Anthony McGrath, bars publication of the messages and any mention of the athletes' identities, occupation, or employer. The athletes argue the messages were private and never intended for public release, while the ABC warns the case could undermine investigative journalism and the publicâs right to know. The injunction will remain in place until a final hearing, which may not occur for several months. The athletes also face potential disciplinary action from their sportâs governing body for bringing it into disrepute.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Three professional sportsmen (AB, CD, EF) obtained a court order barring the ABC from publishing their group chat messages containing 'crude descriptions of sexual acts and domestic violence'
- The messages were obtained by ABC journalist Marnie Vinall after an ex-partner (GH) of one athlete (AB) shared them
- The interim injunction was granted by NSW Supreme Court Justice Anthony McGrath 'last week'
- The messages were shared privately among the three athletes and not intended for public release
- The ABC obtained the messages after GH found her partnerâs old mobile phone in a moving box 'last month' and used it to show Vinall the messages
- The athletes claim the messages could cause 'serious harm to their reputations, standing, and financial interests'
- The injunction is set to continue until a final hearing, which may not take place for 'several months'
- The ABC argues the case raises concerns about the broader ramifications for investigative journalism and the publicâs right to know
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- GH initially took a photograph of the group chat while she and AB were still together
- GH showed the messages to ABCâs managing editor of national news, Sam Clark, who took photographs of them
- GH threatened to release the information to an executive at her former partnerâs club unless they stopped him from playing
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources regarding verifiable facts
Source Articles
ABC barred from reporting high-profile sports figuresâ âcrude descriptions of sexual actsâ
The athletes, two of whom are married, argued that releasing the messages would cause serious harm to their reputations and financial interests.
ABC barred from reporting high-profile sports figuresâ âcrude descriptions of sexual actsâ
The athletes, two of whom are married, argued that releasing the messages would cause serious harm to their reputations and financial interests.