Australia proposes ‘world-leading’ ban on social media for those under 16
NBCNOV 11 2024
Alan Jones, former Australian radio host and head coach of the country's rugby union team, was on Monday arrested on charges of sexually abusing eight males between 2001-2019.
The 83-year-old was taken into police custody from his Sydney apartment at around 7:45 am local time following a "long, thorough, protracted" investigation, police said. They conducted a search of his home and seized electronic devices, they added.
At the Day Street police station in central Sydney, Jones was charged with 24 offenses. They included 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under the authority of the alleged offender and nine counts of assault with an act of indecency.
Once the towering figure of Australian media, mutterings over Jones' actions are not new. However, news of his alleged misconduct is a grim revelation that the household name is unlikely to come back from. Questions must be asked about why such a prominent figure in Australian life was allowed to abuse his power and get away with these crimes for so long.
Jones is innocent until proven guilty. The allegations are grave, but also seem out of character for a man who has been scrutinized in the spotlight by Australian media for decades. As with any case, the legitimacy of these chargesallegations must be judged in court before any conclusions can be made in good faith.