ACMA CEO denies loss of nerve saying SCA management change ‘critical’ to 2DayFM deal

ACMA chair Chris Chapman

The CEO of the Australian Communications and Media Authority has described today’s deal with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) over the royal prank call incident as a “better outcome” than a rumoured suspension of its broadcast licence.

In an interview with Mumbrella this afternoon Chris Chapman said the deal, following a protracted court battle with SCA, would hopefully serve as a case study for other broadcasters, adding a recent change in senior management, was also “critical” today’s deal.

While many had expected the ACMA to make an example of 2DayFM over the broadcast of the prank call in December 2012 by suspending its broadcast licence, the media watchdog instead decided on a series of lesser penalties, including a new licence condition.