Journalist Kate McClymont (Image: Private Media/Zennie) Around the world in 2024, there was a continuing sense that the institutions we rely on were relentlessly failing us . So perhaps it’s unsurprising that it was a fearless piece of old-fashioned investigative journalism, exposing serious allegations against a powerful man, that prompted our readers to award a comfortable victory to Crikey’s 2024 person of the year. There was one thing that made Alan Jones’ career of a different order; one factor that afforded him a power over Australian politics and media that other commentators, however influential, could only dream of: the fear he inspired .
For decades, Jones could say whatever he wanted , however inflammatory , however violently misogynistic ; he could ceaselessly bully and hector his guests and still command the attention and deference of the most powerful people in the country. While his influence had obviously waned since his slow withdrawal from the country’s media, he still counted leadership figures among his friends. Opponents loathe him, some allies can’t stand him.
.. announcing Crikey’s Shitstirrer of the Year Read More So, in a career full of hugely impactful investigations , veteran investigative reporter Kate McClymont’s fearless revelations of serious allegations of sexual misconduct against Jones stands out.
As one of Jones’ alleged victims told her, for a long time Jones was “more powerful than the prime minister”. McClymont’s work.
