Nine cleared of breaching rules over pokies plug, but guilty of lying about it afterwards

Tim Burrowes

June 4, 2012 1:33

Nine Network has been cleared of running an undeclared paid ad against pokie reform after NRL commentators Ray Warren and Phil Gould launched into scripted comments opposing the measures and plugging a campaign website.

However, the broadcaster was found to have lied when it claimed afterwards that the incident was simply the duo sharing their own opinions, in breach of Free TV’s code of practice on complaint handling.

The findings are the results of an investigation launched by the Australian Communications and Media Authority into last September’s comments:

Ray Warren:

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

Topics

Clubs Australia GetUp Nine NRL pokies

3 COMMENTS

Proof Reader 4 Jun 12

“But the watchdog ruled ruled:”
“….in responding to the com;lainants… “

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mumbrella 4 Jun 12

Ta proof reader – sorted.

Cheers,

Tim – Mumbrella

Adam Paull 4 Jun 12

I wonder if any government will be brave enough to revoke a broadcasting license based on the ‘fit and proper’ test… Now that Nine is broadcasting live naked women offering phone sex services on Extra they’re certainly giving it a nudge!

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