Journalist called News Corp ‘tabloid bottom feeders’ after it queried ABC’s Heston Russell stories, court hears

Defamation trial hears Mark Willacy criticised Murdoch's people' in email to confidential source after Daily Telegraph questioned reports on ex-commando

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The ABC journalist Mark Willacy told a confidential source that Murdoch's people are tabloid bottom feeders" after the Daily Telegraph asked questions about his reporting, the federal court has heard.

The award-winning journalist's email exchange with the US marine source, known by the pseudonym Josh in his news reports, was revealed under cross-examination on day three of a defamation trial brought by the former commando Heston Russell.

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