ACMA releases report into ‘Royal Prank call’, confirming 2DayFM breach of licence
The media watchdog has finally released its report into ‘the Royal Prank call’ finding that radio station 2DayFM breached the condition of its broadcast licence over the secret recording of a private conversation involving the nurse caring for Kate Middleton.
The prank call in December 2012 caused controversy when nurse Jacintha Saldanha took her own life after transferring a prank call by 2DayFM hosts Mel Greig and Michael ‘MC’ Christian to the hospital ward that was treating then-pregnant Duchess of Cambridge for acute morning sickness.
The findings published today, comes following an extensive court case which went all the way to the High Court, which found the Australian Communications and Media Authority did have the power to find 2DayFM breached the codes of practice.
Today’s report finds that the station breached rules which prohibit the “broadcast of statements by identifiable persons without their consent” and prohibit “participants in live-hosted entertainment programs from being treated in a highly demeaning or highly exploitative manner”.
Bbecause you need a report to know that prank calling a hospital and airing the recording withour permission is wrong.