Media Watch: Paul Barry apologises after false claim about Sky News host who ... trends now

The host of ABC's Media Watch, Paul Barry, has issued a stunning apology for falsely suggesting a Sky News presenter 'set reporters on the trail' of Bondi stabbing victim Dr Ashlee Good.

Dr Good was one of the six victims killed by knifeman Joel Cauchi in the bloody rampage at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

Her nine-month-old baby Harriet was also stabbed but survived. On Tuesday, the infant's condition was downgraded from critical to serious and she was moved out of the ICU.

On Saturday evening, shortly before Dr Good was identified as the first fatality, Sky News host Laura Jayes revealed during a tearful live cross from outside Westfield that she knew the 38-year-old osteopath personally.

She did not name Dr Good or offer any identifying information, only saying she was an 'incredible athlete' and 'so excited to be a new mother'.

However, Barry falsely suggested her report was the spark that set off a firestorm of media coverage which Dr Good's family would later complain violated their privacy.

A day after Media Watch went to air on Monday, Barry issued a mea culpa on X.

He acknowledged Jayes, 40, was not responsible for subsequent media coverage and had in fact taken care to protect her family's privacy while disclosing her personal connection to the victim.

'Just wanted to say re last night's that was very careful to protect her friend Ashlee Good's privacy in that emotional live cross from #BondiWestfield' he said.

'She didn't 'kick it off', My mistake. Sorry. PB.'