Media giant News Corp has issued a formal and unreserved apology to Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth and his wife, Brittany, over false claims published about their relationship.
The apology comes after the company made allegations regarding the state of the couple's marriage in one of its publications, claims which have now been fully retracted.
The Formal Apology and Retraction
In a significant climbdown, News Corporation Australasia publicly acknowledged that the stories it published about Sam Groth contained serious inaccuracies.
The company explicitly stated that Mr Groth and his wife Brittany remain happily married, directly contradicting its earlier reporting.
News Corp's apology, published on November 18, 2025, expressed sincere regrets to both Sam and Brittany Groth for the distress and embarrassment caused by the original articles.
The media organisation confirmed it has removed the offending content from all platforms where it had appeared.
Impact on the Groth Family
The false reports had created significant personal distress for the MP and his family, prompting the couple to seek legal recourse to clear their names.
Sam Groth serves as the Member for Nepean in the Victorian parliament, having been elected in 2022 after a previous career as a professional tennis player.
The public nature of the allegations placed considerable strain on the couple, who have maintained a relatively private personal life despite Mr Groth's public profile.
The formal apology represents a complete vindication for the Groths, confirming that the original claims about their relationship were entirely without foundation.
Broader Implications for Media Accountability
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about media standards and the impact of inaccurate reporting on public figures and their families.
The swift retraction and apology demonstrate the legal and ethical obligations media organisations face when publishing personal information, particularly about elected officials.
For News Corp, this represents another in a series of controversies surrounding its reporting practices, raising questions about editorial oversight within the organisation.
The case serves as a reminder of the power of defamation laws in protecting individuals from false media claims, even for those in the public eye.
As part of the resolution, News Corp has agreed to pay substantial costs to the Groths, though the exact amount remains confidential between the parties.
