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Thursday February 23, 2012

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'Fat Slag' remark sparks probe

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 27 January, 2012 - 12:58 PM
Kyle Sandilands

The communications watchdog has announced it is investigating complaints made about an on-air attack on a journalist by shock jock Kyle Sandilands.

Sandilands launched the attack on news.com.au entertainment editor Alison Stephenson on 2Day FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show on November 22 after she reported the low ratings of the pair's television special A Night With The Stars.

"Some fat slag on news.com.au has already branded it a disaster. You can tell by reading the article that she just hates us and has always hated us," Sandilands said.

"What a fat, bitter thing you are. You're deputy editor of an online thing. You've got a nothing job anyway. You're a piece of shit.

"This low thing, Alison Stephenson, deputy editor of news.com.au online. You're supposed to be impartial, you little troll.

"You're a bullshit artist, girl. You should be fired from your job. Your hair's very '90s. And your blouse. You haven't got that much titty to be having that low cut a blouse. Watch your mouth or I'll hunt you down."

At the time the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it had received some complaints about his comments.

A spokesman for ACMA announced the investigation today.

"We are investigating complaints about Kyle Sandilands's remarks on radio on November 22, 2011," the spokesman said.

"The results of that investigation will be made available in due course."

Sandilands's comments sparked an angry debate online, with people on Twitter using the hashtag #vilekyle, and in the media, with many critics calling for him to be sacked.

A petition on Change.org called for advertisers to stop supporting the show. Holden, the Good Guys, Vodafone, Blackmores, Harvey Norman, Crazy John's, Fantastic Furniture and Telstra were among the first high-profile companies to react.

As the online backlash peaked two days after his comments, Sandilands apologised if he caused offence to Stephenson but said he was just exercising his freedom of speech.

"If you took a personal offence to it, Ali, I'm sorry, but maybe you should think again before you start going [against] different people," he said on air.

"If they say I can dish it out but I can't take it, I never ever dish it out first.

"I always retaliate due to someone else's crazy, outrageous allegations.

"You can have your personal opinion, but I will also have mine because that's the country we live in."

As advertisers continued to pull their support, Sandilands released on open letter to the media on December 9.

"I took my remarks too far and for that - and the offence caused to Alison Stephenson and those exposed to my comments - I sincerely apologise," he said.

"I regret the impact this has had on our clients and our hard-working staff, who have had to weather a storm of criticism in the media and on social networks," he said.

"I regret that so many had to bear the brunt of my actions."

Jenny Craig also pulled its advertising from 2Day FM on his first day back on air this year.

A spokeswoman for Southern Cross Austereo said there was no comment about the launch of ACMA's investigation.

- Stephanie Gardiner, Fairfax

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Blog comments Your Say

  • Sandilands is so 'yesterday' it is not funny. Time to move him on and clean the place up.

    Roger Monday 30 January, 2012 - 7:52 AM

  • Why is this man still in a job? Disgraceful programming by a radio station promoting bullying and harassment.

    Justine Sunday 29 January, 2012 - 11:35 PM

  • If you are fAT ??? a slag could be the answer ????

    IAN BARKER Friday 27 January, 2012 - 1:08 PM

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