The Lawyer X story reads like a Hollywood film script. A high-profile lawyer to the state’s most notorious crims informs to police on her own clients. How this was revealed is almost as unlikely as the story itself. Herald Sun crime reporter Anthony Dowsley was at a Christmas function when someone mentioned a rumour to him that turned out to be incorrect. However, Dowsley has been on the crime beat a long time and the rumour triggered a news instinct, demanding further investigation. He started digging. Much later he partnered with Patrick Carlyon, a feature writer with a tidy, analytical mind to write the Lawyer X stories. Along the way, they fought multiple suppression orders to keep the story alive.
Democracy’s Watchdogs’ latest interview is with the two reporters who describe the behind-the-scenes battle to get the story out, as well as how they combined to research and write the stories. I’m thrilled that this interview was conducted by Jill Baker, a former editor of The Sunday Age and the Sunday Herald Sun. You can catch it right now.
In other news, Democracy’s Watchdogs’ award for the best investigative news story by student journalists will open for entries shortly. The deadline for entries will be November 17 so there’s time to polish your stories. If you have any questions about the award, please email me.
Bill Birnbauer,
CEO Democracy’s Watchdogs