Nine defends ‘invasion of privacy’ claim – The HIH collapse: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 29 May 2001: 4.
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Abstract
She described the broadcasting of the interior of her home to the nation as “a gross invasion . . . My family’s privacy and basic human rights have been abused”. But presenter Mike Munro denied the accusations, saying their news gathering was entirely legitimate as the house was a “financial asset ready for sale”. A Current Affair brought together a small group of people whose lives had been devastated by the HIH collapse, showed them footage of the house and asked for their comments.
Full Text
CHANNEL Nine’s A Current Affair milked its controversial expose of the Williams family home in Sydney’s Balmoral for all it was worth.
The luxurious $7 million home is in the name of Rita Williams, wife of former HIH director and founder Ray.
The interior was clearly everything money could buy. In the master bedroom, electronic curtains opened to expansive views. Large white couches, ottomans, and expensive tables were all part of the immaculately decorated house.
Mrs Williams has condemned the “overall newsgathering philosophy, credibility and ethics” of the show for impersonating a potential buyer to get inside footage of the house.
She described the broadcasting of the interior of her home to the nation as “a gross invasion . . . My family’s privacy and basic human rights have been abused”. But presenter Mike Munro denied the accusations, saying their news gathering was entirely legitimate as the house was a “financial asset ready for sale”. A Current Affair brought together a small group of people whose lives had been devastated by the HIH collapse, showed them footage of the house and asked for their comments.
“It leaves me speechless to see people living like this,” said one. Another said: “The contrast between our situation . . .
sticks in your stomach.” Perched on a cliff-top high above Balmoral with spectacular views of Sydney harbour, the luxurious dwelling has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens, a formal lounge room and dining room, manicured gardens, a pool and a bar.
“All we have is uncertainty and debt,” said another victim of the collapse.