ACMA receives over 100 complaints about Alan Jones’ Jacinda Ardern comments
The regulatory body which enforces radio’s code of conduct – The Australian Communications and Media Authority – received over 100 complaints about Alan Jones’ latest controversy.
ACMA told Mumbrella Jones’ broadcaster, 2GB, had 60 days to respond the complaints, upon which they will either be considered ‘dealt with’, or they may be escalated.
Jones has apologised for his comments, but Macquarie’s boss has given him his final warning
Consumers who take issue with content broadcast on commercial radio must complain within 30 days of the broadcast. Jones’ comments – in which he suggested Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison shove a sock down the throat of New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern and that Ardern should be “backhanded” – went to air on 15 August, meaning the window has now closed.
“The ACMA has received over 100 complaints regarding the comments made by Mr Jones about Jacinda Ardern,” an ACMA spokesperson told Mumbrella after the window closed.
“Under the co-regulatory system, the ACMA will refer complaints to the broadcaster in the first instance.
“If the complainant does not receive a response from the broadcaster in 60 days, or is not satisfied with the response, they may refer their complaint to the ACMA.”
2GB is bound by the Commercial Radio Australia Radio Code of Practice.
Material that the code deems not suitable for broadcast includes content which “is likely to incite or encourage violence or brutality or present gratuitous violence or brutality”, and that which “is likely to incite in a reasonable listener hatred against, or serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, any person or group of persons because of age, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual preferences, religion, transgender status or disability”.
A further stipulation reads: “Program content must not offend generally standards of decency (for example, the use of unjustified language), having regard to the demographic characteristics of the audience of the relevant program.”
Jones comments were made in August, and led to widespread backlash on social media. Numerous advertisers then took a stance against the program, including big spenders Coles and the Commonwealth Bank.
Initially, Jones was unfazed by the exodus, claiming that for each advertiser which departed, another would simply take its place.
The tone has since shifted, however, with Jones being told by his employer if he mis-steps again his contract will be terminated.
In addition, last week Macquarie Media’s chairman Russell Tate wrote to advertisers apologising for getting it wrong, and offering up meetings between clients, station management and Jones himself.
The note also revealed the content of Jones’ show, and the wider content of Sydney’s 2GB and Brisbane’s 4BC, was in review.
Last week’s letter from Tate (Click to enlarge)
Macquarie Media is in the midst of a take-over bid from Nine, which already owns just over 50% of the company.
In the most recent radio ratings survey, 2GB in Sydney had a market-leading 13.4% share, down 0.6 points from the previous survey. Alan Jones in breakfast had a 17.1% share, down 0.3 points, but still well ahead of the competition.
In Brisbane, 4BC is far from the market leader, with a 6.7% share, placing it in seventh place. The breakfast show fell back 1.4 points to a 7.5% share in the most recent ratings results, which also places it in seventh.
The survey period, however, covered 26 May to 29 June, and 14 July to 17 August. Jones made the comments on 15 August, so any real audience knock-on effects won’t be seen until the release of the next survey on 1 October. That survey covers 14 July to 21 September inclusive.
Macquarie Media has been approached for comment.
… and I wonder how many of those 100 complainants has ever listened to the Alan Jones 2GB program?
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Surely, somewhere on the Mumbrella files, there is a better picture of Alan Jones.
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Ohhhh a hundred complaints!! Gee the whole of Australia is in an uproar over it lol!
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Even though some would consider the portrayal quite apt and certainly makes a stand out lead image it’s the rush to throw up the story up without checking it’s a CMYK file that’s making him look like he’s been reincarnated as Lucifer.
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Alan Jones,100 complaints,get a life Mumbrella. Do you know his ratings on radio and TV.anybody with half a brain knows it is all a lefty beat up.
All. Jones was saying ardern is a n incompetent. Regards bill rigg
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Look up Jones on Wikipedia and you might suspect [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
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How many letters received, agreed with Alan Jones. Pretty sure they would outweigh the 100.
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Hi Bill,
I do know his ratings, that is why they are included in this very story.
Given that the incident led to various brands pulling their money, Alan Jones being put on notice by his employer, a full review of his program’s content, and an apologetic letter from the chairman to 2GB’s advertisers, I thought it was worth going to the regulatory body to see how many people had actually escalated the issue – especially as the window for complaining has now closed.
Also, FYI, none of those 100 complaints were from Mumbrella.
Thanks,
Vivienne – Mumbrella
I entertained friends from New Zealand over the weekend and they were adamant that Australia will not have to worry about Jacinda Ardern after the next NZ General Election.
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He’s a racist according to the law.
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I see a smiling Alan Jones comforting Jessica Mauboy in an Daily Telegraph article yesterday.
Today, he is ‘inspired’ by a 13 year old girl. A not so subtle campaign of debunking his misogyny.
I’m not buying it!
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Sorry but I think the radio station supporting this man who once again is being enormously disrespectful to women, likes to spread hate, and let’s not forget [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy], is appalling and shows a complete lack of any sort of moral compass. Once again money speaks.
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“Shove a sock down her throat”
“Give her a few backhanders”
“Put her in a chaff bag and drop her out to sea”
“Women are destroying the joint”
Enough said.
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What the hell is happening to Australia. Alan Jones is one of the last great Aussies we Aussies enjoy.
Put a sock in it. If my kids were sooking or talking for the sake of talking, many the times I have told them to put a sock in it.
Alan is a wonderful Australian, who performs really incredible things for people in need. He does this quietly and without fanfare.
There are a minority out there making out that they are a majority. PUT A SOCK IN IT and get a life.
We luv ya Jonesy. Long live the king.
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@ Garry Ward … a bit heavy on the irony perhaps ?
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That’s great Pete. I’m glad you and your mates from NZ can predict the next general election. Did you have fun entertaining? What else did you discuss?
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Hi KGB,
We discussed the weather and how good the chocolate cake tasted. It was great fun. How was your weekend ? Still trying to work out how your preferred party lost the unlosable election ?
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Allan Jones should be complimented on his comment. It’s a polite way of telling her to be quite. She has become an expert on everything but really on nothing.
She should concentrate on het local politics and not interfere abroad. She is not doing a very good job and knows nothing about economics. We are in fear of what she is doing how the country is failing with no confidence. Should focus on NZ she’s only young with sooo much to learn. And someone should tell her we are nit ‘comrades’
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We are told that Alan Jones is the most listened to talk back host in Australia ,with millions of listeners ,so a 100 complaints does not sound like alot, i would think that if more people were outraged by his comments there would be a greater number than only a 100,how long will it be before all our freedoms are taken away , we have lost to many already
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