Lawyers’ picnic
Hell hath no fury like a journalist edited - or so it seems in the world of tabloid TV and print journalism. Defamation action taken by sports journalist Josh Massoud against media outlets following his termination from Channel Seven is a case in point.
Several media companies previously settled Massoud’s claim before trial, but plenty are still in court fighting it out, leading to the case being nicknamed the Josh Massoud Royal Commission thanks to the sheer number of barristers involved. The reporter is still suing Fox Sports Australia, radio station KIIS 1065,
The Daily Telegraph, where he once worked, and radio station 2GB and Nine Digital – both owned by this column’s publisher Nine Entertainment Co – in the NSW District Court over stories relating to his departure from Seven in 2018.
Massoud said the
reporting had made him look like a “lunatic”. He was sacked after an exchange with a junior social media producer who had mistakenly tweeted out details of a Massoud exclusive before the 6pm news. The ensuing tirade left the 18-year-old producer in tears.
Former Seven journalist Ryan Phelan told the court he witnessed Massoud having “robust discussions” in the newsroom but “I wouldn’t say he’s a hothead”.
Tim Morrissey, a former Australian basketball player who is now News Corp national deputy sports editor, told the court what happened when he informed Massoud that his 900 word story had to be cut to 600 words to make the
Telegraph. “And his response was, like, ‘Are you f---ing serious? It’s like you’re asking me to cut off the head of a baby.’ ”
Bright, sunshiny day
Morrissey told the court in an exchange with lawyer Dauid Sibtain, representing the media organisations, that when Massoud left the
Telegraph for Seven “it was like there was a dark cloud that just lifted off level three at the sports section, and the sunshine came out.”
When Sibtain asked what some of the words were that colleagues used to describe Massoud, Morrissey replied: “People referred to Josh as toxic, a horrible little c---, nasty piece of work, just a horrible human being.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
The trial has concluded and judgment was reserved.
Massoud now works as a private investigator.
