2DayFM loses bid to stop ACMA investigation into suicide prank call

The Federal Court has this morning ruled in favour of the Australian Communications Authority, paving the way for the media watchdog to conclude its investigation into Sydney radio station 2DayFM over its handling of last year’s disastrous Royal prank phone call.

This morning Justice Richard Edmonds dismissed arguments by 2DayFM that any findings by the media authority in its preliminary report had the potential to do “enormous damage” to the radio station and prejudice any future criminal proceedings.

If, as expected, ACMA rules that Southern Cross Austereo’s 2Day FM breached its licence conditions by breaking the law with the prank call, it has the power to suspend or remove the radio station’s licence.

The ACMA this morning said it was pleased with the decision which means the media watchdog is now free to issue its report on the incident.