Walkley awards to review ‘chequebook journalism’ rules after Bruce Lehrmann rent payment revealed in court

The Walkley board will review its rules on ‘chequebook journalism’ after it emerged that the Seven Network paid the rent of Bruce Lehrmann, pictured, for a year. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The Walkley board will review its rules on “chequebook journalism” after it emerged that the Seven Network paid Bruce Lehrmann’s rent for a year to secure an interview that was later nominated for the 2023 scoop of the year award.

But a statement released on Sunday by the foundation, which oversees Australia’s most prestigious journalism awards, did not reverse or retrospectively invalidate the nomination. As of Sunday evening, Seven’s interview was still listed on the Walkley website as a shortlisted finalist.