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SYDNEY - In a cut-throat world, some Australian reporters will go to extreme lengths for a story -- even if it means helping chain an 84-year-old woman to her nursing home room.
A Channel Seven television reporter has been suspended after his stunt was broadcast nationwide on Tuesday night.
Reporter Nicholas Boot's story led the network's Today Tonight show, and featured Shirley Frey chained to a cupboard at the Willoughby Aged Care Retirement Centre by a long chunky chain.
"As we go to air tonight this 84-year-old grandmother remains locked up in her nursing home room chained to a cupboard," the show's host told viewers.
Boot opened his report with the words: "Shirley Frey would have to be the oldest person in Australia to be kicked out of a nursing home."
"But this feisty 84-year-old is refusing to budge, chaining herself to her room."
Federal Government officials smelt a rat, and yesterday visited the Sydney nursing home to check whether her rights were being infringed, the Daily Telegraph reported.
They soon discovered the chains were a stunt, set up by the television crew.
"In discussions with the resident in question, the officials asked what had happened to the chains they had seen on the television report," a spokesman for the Minister for Ageing told The Australian.
"The response was the television crew had brought the chains for the interview, then taken them away again afterwards. She further advised that the process of chaining her up had been instigated by the television programme."
Seven's head of news and current affairs, Peter Meakin, conducted an investigation and said Boot had made a "bad call" and had been stood down.
Today Tonight host Anna Coren apologised to viewers on last night's show, admitting the story was untrue.
"Today Tonight reporter Nicholas Boot took a chain with him at Shirley's request to be filmed in her room. Shirley wanted to illustrate the fact she felt like a prisoner.
"We regret the actions of this journalist and are investigating the matter internally. We apologise to our viewers if you felt misled."
- NZPA
