Chris Smith’s asylum seeker quiz breaches radio code
Australia’s media watchdog has found that 2GB breached the Commercial Radio Code of Practice after presenter Chris Smith held a talk back quiz inviting listeners to guess how many asylum seekers were killed in the Christmas Island boat disaster.
The broadcast was first highlighted by the ABC’s Media Watch in February.
According to today’s report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Macquarie Radio Network acknowledged the quiz was “offensive, in very bad taste, and that it should not have been broadcast”.
one word: revolting
Ditto dkn
So, in February, a shock jock incites racial hatred and 10 months later the regulator, ACMA, decides he was very naughty for saying it, but that no further action should be taken. Gee, glad to see the system working so well. What a joke. Imagine how you’d feel if it were your family members he was talking about.
Gross.
Wonder if / how many advertisers were targeted via Twitter to stop putting their money into this programme? Did anyone pull back spend?
It makes me sick reading this.
Smithy’s Mystery? The mysyery is why is he on radio at all.
The same guy was pushed off air for other offences as well:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com......5809729558
He seems to think he’s bulletproof and let him off just hghlights that.
I thought it was funny and harmless. I loved it. More please! Only the politically correct bluenoses on Media Watch would have been offended. Rather than getting rid of Chris Smith we should get rid of Media Watch. Thank goodness no further action will be taken. Free speech has only just survived.
I think he does a quiz every day of something on his show. Its a matter for public record?
This is way more offensive then kyle – at least his was an attempt at humour.
Here is 2GB’s list of sponsors if anyone is interested.
http://www.2gb.com/index.php?o.....Itemid=187
@Hoin: Oh I love how you pulled the free speech card.
Imagine if another station or broadcaster played a game on how many people died earlier this year in the Queensland floods. But of course, this is completely offensive because it involved Australians. Only tragedies that killed Australians should be treated with respect.
So by applying your ‘logic’, if another broadcaster or show uses an Australian disaster or tragedy as some sort of entertainment and game show, it is completely fine. I’m just going by your definition of ‘free speech’.
I also agree with Rushdie, this is as offensive or worse than Kyle’s tirade. I guess it’s fine. It’s okay to be racist. Oh the hypocriscy.
Alison F: then dont read it!
Ann: you are correct , it is public info
Rushdie:Kyle was an attempt at humour?it may have been an attempt at something but it was not humour–perhaps headlines?
In that case he did very well
The free speech argument only stacks up when we all have daily radio shows. This is a protected industry remember. Listen to talkback radio for 5 minutes and you will hear something wrong or debateable told as fact. The regulator is useless. If they are not going to prosecute they should issue as many licenses as spectrum will allow, including turning all community licenses into citywide commercial licenses and then we shall se who survives.