Alan Jones a ‘reminder’ Nine needs to be on top of its game: Hugh Marks
Nine CEO Hugh Marks has said 2GB host Alan Jones’ comments about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern which have since caused an advertiser exodus of both his breakfast show and the station were proof that people in the media who are at the top of their game should suffer the consequences when they “fall down”.
Speaking to Mumbrella last week following Nine’s financial results, Marks said the demands were high on people like Jones and that they need to be at their very best at all times as a result. Nine owns a majority share in Macquarie Media thanks to its merger with Fairfax in 2018 and recently made a bid for the remaining stake.
“It’s part of our industry and the demands on us, or the demands on our people, to always be at the best of their game are heightened. When we fall down then we certainly suffer the consequences. It’s just a reminder to all of our people that we need to be on our game and we need to be at our very best,” said Marks.
If Hugh Marks believes this Hannah Blackiston, then where do we stand about the freedom to express an opinion? The same freedom that the ABC has which is way more insulting by using language that is considered foul! Hugh Marks is putting sponsors money before the right to express an honest opinion. I think Mr. Jones meant “put a sock in it” a common expression that came out the wrong way but he didn’t say ‘F#*#k or the like. Jacinta Ardern has been lecturing to us and it has annoyed many people but saying that if you comment strongly about that sponsors will leave then we can say 2GB is no longer a true voice we can trust. Which is it?
Janice, such actions do not threaten your freedom to express an opinion.
It is HOW that opinion is expressed. Clearly Jones’ expression of his opinion was offensive to the leader of another country close to us physically, socially and emotionally. In fact it was offensive to lots of people with a modicum of manners, intelligence and a sense of what is allowable.
There is also a difference between a profanity. As an example, when you hit your thumb with a hammer you might yell out FUUCCCCKKKK that hurt (I know I do). Whereas telling someone that they are a fuckwit and can go get fucked is offensive.
I know they are simple concepts. I wish you the best of luck with them.
And this is a channel that runs some of the most sexually denigrating reality shows ! Oh dear.