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February 18th, 2014 
Awake Goy Australian Federal Police raid Channel 7 over Schapelle Corby
AFP raid on Seven’s own cameras 0:25
This is how Seven News reported on the raid of its Seven West Media head office in Pyrmont by the Australian Federal Police, who are heard requesting the cameras be turned off. Courtesy: Seven Network
Security guards outside Channel 7 headquarters in Sydney while AFP officers raid the premises. Picture: Twitter/Mark Burrows Source: Twitter
VETERAN Channel Seven journalist Mike Willesee has hit out at the Australian Federal Police raid on the network’s headquarters this morning, saying it would not reveal anything because Schapelle Corby has not been paid.
There were “heated scenes” at Channel Seven’s Sydney headquarters today as its offices were raided by the AFP.
It is understood Federal police were looking for evidence of the lucrative media deal the Corby family reportedly signed on behalf of Schapelle for her first post-prison interview with Seven’s current affairs flagship program, Sunday Night.
Police raid … security guards outside Channel 7 headquarters in Sydney while AFP officers raid the premises. Picture: Twitter/Mark Burrows Source: Twitter
Did AFP threaten Seven? 0:29
This clip, broadcast by Seven News, shows an AFP officer warning staff that they are not to hinder investigations in the Seven West Media head office. Courtesy: Channel Seven
The AFP confirmed it conducted a number of search warrants in Sydney under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The offices of New Idea, owned by Seven West Media’s Pacific Magazines, were also raided although the Sunday Night newsroom had not yet been visited.
Seven said it understood AFP officers could remain searching the offices for up to 24 hours. The AFP would not comment further.
CURSE OF THE CORBY FAMILY: IS SEVEN’S INTERVIEW DEAD?
SEVEN HITS BACK
While Mr Willesee did not deny a payment would be made to Corby, he attacked the media for repeatedly reporting a deal was worth $2 million.
“The first thing I want to say about the Australian Federal Police raid is that it will finally nail the lie of the two million dollar payment that’s been repeated and repeated in the Australian media.”
Defending Seven … Mike Willesee speaks with the media outside the Sentosa Seminyak Villa Resorts about the AFP raids and the reports of payments to the Corby family. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia
When asked the value of the potential interview deal, Willesee said “there is no deal”. Willesee said he has not spoken to Seven management about whether the interview will still go ahead.
“We’ve positioned ourselves to be the first in line if there is an interview. There is no deal,” he said.
“(The raid) will find nothing. They will find no payment because there is no payment.
“I’d be most surprised (if they found correspondence relating to payment) but I’m not privy to correspondence of people upstairs.”
But Mr Willesee did confirm he has had “interesting” conversations with Corby in her villa.
“I’m optimistic and certainly hopeful but there are a lot of balls in the air,” he said.
“She’s in good shape. Mental issues doesn’t mean that tomorrow you can plan and everything’s going to be OK.
“No I haven’t been talking with the Corbys about interviews or business. We’ve just been chatting.
“It was a private conversation. It wasn’t anything. But it was interesting.”
Free at last … Schapelle Corby walking around the back yard of her villa at the Sentosa Seminyak luxury villa resort. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: Supplied
He said a government minister had called him to apologise for the raids.
“It’s a big attack on the press. It’s terrible what’s happening,” the newspaper reported Mr McWilliam saying.
“It’s a gross overreaction. The government has called to say they did not know this was happening.”
“You’ve got some heavy-handed goon who thinks they can just come storming in and terrorise people who are trying to carry on their duties.”
A big attack on the press … Seven’s Commercial Director Bruce McWilliam talks to media outside the network’s offices. Source: News Corp Australia
Mr McWilliam also confirmed Seven would continue pursuing the story.
“Schapelle Corby’s story is of huge public interest… Yes, we will keep pursuing the story,” he said.
He also confirmed that no deal had been reached with Seven and the Corby family.
“There has been no deal reached yet to get Schapelle Corby’s story… no material payment made to Corby,” he said.
Mr McWilliam’s comments come as Mr Willesee said there is no deadline on how long the Seven crew will remain in Bali, waiting for a green light to conduct the controversial interview.
The raid came at an embarrassing time for the Seven West Media Group. Members of the board were delivering the company’s half-year results at a presentation at Doltone House, the function centre next door to Seven’s headquarters – detracting from the news its net profit after tax of $150m was up 5.5 per cent on the same period last year.
Channel Seven raid … by AFP officers in Sydney. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
CEO Tim Worner announced the results alongside Dave Boorman (chief financial officers), Kurt Burnette (chief revenue officer), Nick Chan (chief operating officer) and Chris Wharton (chief executive of SWM WA).
Worner announced the company’s magazine division — publisher of New Idea, believed to be a partner in any media deal with Corby — was focused on delivering and leveraging leadership positions in key market segments “centred around peoples’ passions”.
“We are in an environment where everyone with a phone is a potential news gatherer. We are now seeing more news coverage and news pictures than ever before,” Worner said.
Leaving Seven’s Martin Place offices in central Sydney, the normally outspoken Sunrise host David Koch had little to say to the waiting media before getting in a taxi.
Koch has been a vocal critic of Seven’s plan to do a deal with Corby.
“I reckon we should have nothing to do with her as a network. Totally disagree with paying a convicted drug smuggler $2 million,” Koch said on air last week.
When asked if the AFP’s raids on Seven offices vindicated his stance, Koch replied: “Not at all”.
Three AFP cars …. sit outside the Channel 7 Redfern studios. Source: News Corp Australia
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