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Tuesday May 21, 2013

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ACMA to investigate Royal prank

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 13 December, 2012 - 10:34 AM
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced a formal investigation into a Sydney radio station's prank call to a London hospital that might've contributed to the suicide death of Jacintha Saldanha, a King Edward VII Hospital employee who transferred the call to Kate Middleton's bedside nurse.

The ACMA released a statement this morning which read:

The investigation will focus on the compliance of the licensee, Today FM Sydney Pty Ltd, with its licence conditions and the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice.

In opening the investigation, the ACMA has decided to exercise its discretionary powers under section 170 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to commence an ‘own motion’ investigation.

Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA, noted:

"The ACMA’s formal regulatory relationship is always with the relevant licensee (and not the presenters of any broadcast in question). The ACMA will be examining whether the licensee has complied with its broadcasting obligations."

The ACMA will be seeking to expedite this investigation and does not propose making any further statement while its investigation is underway.

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Claims nurse left suicide note

Jacintha Saldanha. (Photo: Facebook) UPDATE: Claims have emerged the nurse who killed herself days after falling victim to a Sydney radio station's hoax call wrote a suicide note. It's alleged she left a note for her husband and children, but the family still believe there are 'unexplained circumstances'.

 

Blog comments Your Say

  • Because I'd top myself if someone pulled a phone prank on me. That'd fix the issue for sure. Either that or maybe I'd be suffering an underlying mental illness that the pranksters weren't possibly to know about. But lets headhunt the pranksters and make their lives miserable to justify it.

    Elbee Monday 17 December, 2012 - 10:34 AM

  • Lissy & I say that ACMA should take 2DAYFM Liences off them and 2Ur Our sister Station should sign all their staff and gain their listeners and advertisers

    JASON & MELISSA FROM BORONIA & FERNTREE GULY Saturday 15 December, 2012 - 2:23 PM

  • I agree with Mike that she probably had other problems in her life and that the hospital did mistreat her. I wouldn't be feeling sorry for the radio DJ's. This was NOT just a harmless phone call, it was a stupid PRANK. Yes the outcome itself was not in their contol but there is such a thing as cause and effect. The station should lose its license and pranks of any sort should not be broadcast on radio.

    Koula Friday 14 December, 2012 - 8:42 AM

  • In extreme cases the ACMA can cancel a broadcasting license. Is this situation considered extreme?

    The reputation of the ACMA is also on the line. Sadly, we are not holding our breath, as like the radio station, they too will sidestep the real issue; which is reforming a culture that breeds this kind of behaviour.

    Catherine White Thursday 13 December, 2012 - 12:47 PM

  • Firstly look into Jacintha's life, I think that she had other problems, obviously this was the tip of the iceberg for her to commit suicide. I would also look into how the hospital did really treat her after it happened, they are to blame as well. I really feel for the 2 radio Dj's. The outcome was NOT in there control. Who would have thought a simple, harmless phone call would lead into this!!!! I bet you, that more about Jacintha's life will emerge in the future.

    Mike Thursday 13 December, 2012 - 12:32 PM

  • Good. Perhaps now the gutless, faceless senior executives who made the decision to broadcast it can be revealed for the grubbing scum they are.

    trent Thursday 13 December, 2012 - 12:24 PM

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