Post by Flash on Jun 26, 2007 20:47:45 GMT -5
2GB agrees to 'code compliance measures'
June 26, 2007 - 7:19PM
Sydney radio station 2GB will introduce new training procedures after three of its commentators breached racial vilification provisions of the broadcasting code, the broadcast regulator says.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said Harbour Broadcasting Pty Ltd, licensee of 2GB, "will introduce a comprehensive training program on vilification intended to ensure its future compliance with the code".
ACMA said in its statement the training program met required compliance measures stemming from three investigations into the broadcaster during the past six months.
The investigations related to comments made by Alan Jones on his breakfast program, Brian Wiltshire on his late evening show and Malcolm T Elliott on his weekend program.
Jones and Wiltshire were found to have broadcast comments likely to vilify people of Middle Eastern descent and encourage violence around the time of the Cronulla race riot and retaliatory attacks in December 2005.
Elliott was found to have breached the Commercial Radio Code of Practice in comments he made about Indonesian judges during controversy over the jailing of convicted Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby and the so-called Bali Nine.
Earlier this year, ACMA found Jones had breached the code by making comments "likely to encourage violence or brutality" and "likely to vilify people of Lebanese background and of Middle Eastern background on the basis of their ethnicity".
At the time, Macquarie Radio Network chief executive Angela Clark dismissed ACMA's findings as "seriously flawed and ill-founded".
She said 2GB and Jones were opposed to violence and had repeatedly said so on air at the time.
Comment was being sought from Harbour Radio on ACMA's latest statement.
The regulator said 2GB had agreed the new training regime would be provided to all presenters, producers and on-air staff to ACMA's satisfaction.
"These procedures will supplement the revised regime that the licensee of 2GB introduced in mid 2006 and means the licensee's approach on this matter should better align with the code," it said.
"The 2GB board of directors will formally review and approve the compliance program for implementation and the licensee will report to ACMA throughout the process on the development and application of the new regime.
"If ACMA is not satisfied at any time that the new arrangements will ensure compliance with the code, ACMA will revisit the matter to consider the heightened compliance options available to it.
"2GB accepts this position and has reiterated its commitment to meeting its responsibilities under the code.
"ACMA welcomes the considered and constructive approach taken by 2GB in developing a program of activities that specifically addresses ACMA's concerns."
© 2007 AAP
June 26, 2007 - 7:19PM
Sydney radio station 2GB will introduce new training procedures after three of its commentators breached racial vilification provisions of the broadcasting code, the broadcast regulator says.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said Harbour Broadcasting Pty Ltd, licensee of 2GB, "will introduce a comprehensive training program on vilification intended to ensure its future compliance with the code".
ACMA said in its statement the training program met required compliance measures stemming from three investigations into the broadcaster during the past six months.
The investigations related to comments made by Alan Jones on his breakfast program, Brian Wiltshire on his late evening show and Malcolm T Elliott on his weekend program.
Jones and Wiltshire were found to have broadcast comments likely to vilify people of Middle Eastern descent and encourage violence around the time of the Cronulla race riot and retaliatory attacks in December 2005.
Elliott was found to have breached the Commercial Radio Code of Practice in comments he made about Indonesian judges during controversy over the jailing of convicted Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby and the so-called Bali Nine.
Earlier this year, ACMA found Jones had breached the code by making comments "likely to encourage violence or brutality" and "likely to vilify people of Lebanese background and of Middle Eastern background on the basis of their ethnicity".
At the time, Macquarie Radio Network chief executive Angela Clark dismissed ACMA's findings as "seriously flawed and ill-founded".
She said 2GB and Jones were opposed to violence and had repeatedly said so on air at the time.
Comment was being sought from Harbour Radio on ACMA's latest statement.
The regulator said 2GB had agreed the new training regime would be provided to all presenters, producers and on-air staff to ACMA's satisfaction.
"These procedures will supplement the revised regime that the licensee of 2GB introduced in mid 2006 and means the licensee's approach on this matter should better align with the code," it said.
"The 2GB board of directors will formally review and approve the compliance program for implementation and the licensee will report to ACMA throughout the process on the development and application of the new regime.
"If ACMA is not satisfied at any time that the new arrangements will ensure compliance with the code, ACMA will revisit the matter to consider the heightened compliance options available to it.
"2GB accepts this position and has reiterated its commitment to meeting its responsibilities under the code.
"ACMA welcomes the considered and constructive approach taken by 2GB in developing a program of activities that specifically addresses ACMA's concerns."
© 2007 AAP