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Nine Network apologize over 60 Minutes child kidnap attempt

The Nine Network has aired an apology segment explaining how things went so terribly wrong with the botched 60 Minutes child kidnap attempt in Lebanon.

 Australian reporter Tara Brown the 60 Minutes crew have been released on bail and left Lebanon. (AAP)

Australian reporter Tara Brown the 60 Minutes crew have been released on bail and left Lebanon. (AAP) Source: AAP

The network completed an internal review into the incident last week, which resulted in the sacking og Senior producer Stephen Rice was and three other staffbeing formally warned.

In a segment aired on the program last night,  60 Minutes' founding executive producer Gerald Stone described it as the biggest crisis in the show's 37-year history.

He said the story certainly wasn't worth the risks involved.

"There were ways to do it that could have reduced those risks. But to try to cover a parental kidnapping in one of the most heavily guarded cities.. capitals.. in the world. I just thought was a bridge too far*. And it's amazing to me that a program that bases itself on asking the right questions, didn't ask itself the right questions."

Meanwhile, Adam Whittington, the Australia who remains in jail in Lebanon over the incident, has also apologised in a statement from his lawyer.

But he claims he was used as "scapegoat" by the Channel Nine TV network.


1 min read

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Source: AAP



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