Lisa Wilkinson in hot water for Logies speech that delays rape trial — Is it a case of practising free speech or attention-seeking?
- Replies 4
It looks like Lisa Wilkinson's Logies speech has landed her in a bit of hot water.
The media personality was warned that her comments about an upcoming rape trial could delay the proceedings, but she went ahead with the speech anyway.
Now, the trial has been delayed and Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House, will have to wait even longer for his day in court.
Credit: YouTube/S.P.A. by Shorey
Chief Justice Lucy McCallum said that the media attention has placed Lehrmann in a disadvantaged position as it had prejudiced him to a fair trial.
“The case has accordingly attracted a level of attention in the media ... that while not unprecedented is certainly extreme,” the chief justice said on Tuesday.
“Extensive media reporting of alleged criminal conduct is not mischievous in itself."
“What is a potential mischief is media reporting of such issues in such a way ... it impacts the criminal case.”
Judge McCallum also disclosed that Lehrmann's camp "requested a temporary stay in the wake of Wilkinson’s speech and surrounding publicity".
She shared: “Unfortunately, however, the recent publicity (of the speech) does, in my view, change the landscape."
“Because of its immediacy, its intensity and its capacity to obliterate the important distinction between an allegation that remains untested at law."
“For those reasons, regrettably and with gritted teeth, I have concluded that the trial date of 27 June towards which the parties have been carefully steering must be vacated.”
The Project reporter won the Logies award for her interview with Brittany Higgins. Credit: Nine.
It was said that Wilkinson was warned by Shane Drumgold, the director of Public Prosecution, not to comment publicly on the sexual assault case of Higgins when she informed him about her nomination for a Logie for her reporting of the case on June 15.
Despite the warning, Wilkinson took to the stage after winning the Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs Report award.
The incident has divided the internet, with several calling out Ms Wilkinson for capturing media attention and “jeopardising” the trial through her speech.
One person wrote: “This is when Lisa Wilkinson's hubris, vanity and disregard for anything that doesn't affect her BUT has affected the lives of others is at its greatest!“
“And in one sleepless acceptance speech you have pushed back the very thing you stood up for, well done,” another said.
A third chimed in: “There is a time and place for statements like this and THIS.WAS.NOT THAT TIME.”
“I am not taking any ‘sides’ but how on earth can this person now get a fair trial?” another questioned.
Meanwhile, others claimed that there was nothing wrong with the speech.
One user said: “I think the speech was uncontroversial and accepting the award without acknowledging Brittany would have been the wrong thing too.”
“To be fair all she mentioned was the interviewee's name and something about her courage and never giving up,” another wrote.
“There was no mention of what the interview was actually about. So if you didn't already know the story you wouldn't know what she was talking about.”
It seems that the issue for most people lies in whether she merely practised freedom of speech or whether she may have prejudiced the outcome of the case.
Either way, we’re hoping that both parties will be able to prepare during the delay and that justice will prevail in the end.
The media personality was warned that her comments about an upcoming rape trial could delay the proceedings, but she went ahead with the speech anyway.
Now, the trial has been delayed and Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House, will have to wait even longer for his day in court.
Credit: YouTube/S.P.A. by Shorey
Chief Justice Lucy McCallum said that the media attention has placed Lehrmann in a disadvantaged position as it had prejudiced him to a fair trial.
“The case has accordingly attracted a level of attention in the media ... that while not unprecedented is certainly extreme,” the chief justice said on Tuesday.
“Extensive media reporting of alleged criminal conduct is not mischievous in itself."
“What is a potential mischief is media reporting of such issues in such a way ... it impacts the criminal case.”
Judge McCallum also disclosed that Lehrmann's camp "requested a temporary stay in the wake of Wilkinson’s speech and surrounding publicity".
She shared: “Unfortunately, however, the recent publicity (of the speech) does, in my view, change the landscape."
“Because of its immediacy, its intensity and its capacity to obliterate the important distinction between an allegation that remains untested at law."
“For those reasons, regrettably and with gritted teeth, I have concluded that the trial date of 27 June towards which the parties have been carefully steering must be vacated.”
The Project reporter won the Logies award for her interview with Brittany Higgins. Credit: Nine.
It was said that Wilkinson was warned by Shane Drumgold, the director of Public Prosecution, not to comment publicly on the sexual assault case of Higgins when she informed him about her nomination for a Logie for her reporting of the case on June 15.
Despite the warning, Wilkinson took to the stage after winning the Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs Report award.
The incident has divided the internet, with several calling out Ms Wilkinson for capturing media attention and “jeopardising” the trial through her speech.
One person wrote: “This is when Lisa Wilkinson's hubris, vanity and disregard for anything that doesn't affect her BUT has affected the lives of others is at its greatest!“
“And in one sleepless acceptance speech you have pushed back the very thing you stood up for, well done,” another said.
A third chimed in: “There is a time and place for statements like this and THIS.WAS.NOT THAT TIME.”
“I am not taking any ‘sides’ but how on earth can this person now get a fair trial?” another questioned.
Meanwhile, others claimed that there was nothing wrong with the speech.
One user said: “I think the speech was uncontroversial and accepting the award without acknowledging Brittany would have been the wrong thing too.”
“To be fair all she mentioned was the interviewee's name and something about her courage and never giving up,” another wrote.
“There was no mention of what the interview was actually about. So if you didn't already know the story you wouldn't know what she was talking about.”
It seems that the issue for most people lies in whether she merely practised freedom of speech or whether she may have prejudiced the outcome of the case.
Either way, we’re hoping that both parties will be able to prepare during the delay and that justice will prevail in the end.
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