Alan Jones’ ‘highly offensive’ Jacinda Ardern comments breached broadcasting rules: ACMA
Alan Jones’ comments about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern breached broadcasting decency rules, but the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will not take further action due to the 2GB host’s imminent retirement and Macquarie Media’s response to Jones’ actions.
Jones was, however, forced to provide an on-air correction this morning for another breach of the rules, which occurred in the same broadcast when he made factually inaccurate comments about climate change.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin (right) said Jones’ comments were ‘highly offensive’
The ACMA received 127 complaints for the segment, in which Jones said: “I just wonder whether Scott Morrison’s going to be fully briefed to shove a sock down her [Ardern’s] throat”, “Now I hope Scott Morrison gets tough here with a few backhanders”, and “I hope he goes for the throat this morning”.
One complainant said the comments went “far, far beyond any ‘generally accepted standards of decency’ that the station claims”, to which the licensee, Harbour Radio, responded: “Mr Jones’ audience would be familiar with his opinionated style.”
“The Broadcast in question was not gratuitous or baseless criticism of anyone, but a criticism of Ms Ardern’s conduct in public office; nor was it intended or directed at women generally,” the licensee continued.
“Mr Jones did not intend to convey any violent metaphor; the words spoken were accidental.”
But the ACMA agreed with the complainants in its investigation report – which totals more than 20,000 words – noting that there were no immediate corrections made for any ‘accidental’ slip-ups.
“The repeated use of violent metaphors by Mr Jones and his apparent encouragement of aggressive silencing of Ms Ardern was highly offensive and did not meet contemporary community expectations,” said ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin.
“This was evident in the public display of outrage from the community, actions by advertisers and actions by then chairman of Macquarie Media who publicly stated any recurrence of this type of comment would result in the termination of Mr Jones’ contract.
“Acknowledging that the broadcast had caused offence to many in the community, 2GB did not oppose ACMA’s breach finding in relation to decency.”
Despite originally defending the response as “wilful misinterpretation”, Jones subsequently made an on-air apology, clarified his statements on-air the following day, and sent Ardern a written apology. But, he was warned, another misstep would lead to the termination of his contract.
More than 100 brands boycotted Jones’ breakfast show after the comments, leading to a sizeable shrinkage of advertising revenue, an apology from Macquarie Media to advertisers, and a review of 2GB’s content.
“Given the imminent retirement of Mr Jones from 2GB and the actions taken by Macquarie Media and Mr Jones at the time, the ACMA is not taking further action against the licensee for breach of the decency rules,” O’Loughlin added.
Hugh Marks, CEO of Nine – which owns Macquarie Media – has acknowledged Jones’ comments impacted revenues
The comments about Ardern at the centre of the latest ruling, which went to air last August, were made in the context of a discussion on climate change. He incorrectly stated that biomass is a fossil fuel, and presented figures regarding Australia and New Zealand’s percentage of energy use from solar and wind.
The ACMA found that these comparisons were not based on like-for-like data.
“The factual error and inconsistent information were used to incorrectly portray that Australia generates more of its energy from renewables than New Zealand,” O’Loughlin explained.
Jones corrected the factually incorrect statements on-air this morning, and 2GB will incorporate the ACMA’s findings into future staff training.
Ben Fordham will fill the spot left vacant by Jones
However, despite the two breaches, the ACMA ruled that Jones did not incite or encourage violence, or incite hatred against, or serious contempt or severe ridicule, on the basis of gender, ethnicity, nationality, or race.
“The ACMA also acknowledges that the references to Ms Ardern could build a negative association in the listener that a female leader was less competent, as his tone was condescending at times, including calling her ‘darling’,” the report read.
“However, these connotations were unlikely in all the circumstances to have incited, in a reasonable listener, a reaction that could be described as ‘serious contempt’ or ‘severe ridicule’ against Ms Ardern because she is a woman.”
It isn’t the first time the ACMA has ruled against Jones. His inflammatory comments in the lead up to the Cronulla Riots breached the code, as did using the ‘n-word’ on air. He has had more ACMA rulings against him than any other radio presenter, and, in 2012, the watchdog even forced 2GB to temporarily hire fact checkers to confirm the accuracy of Jones’ scripts before he went to air.
Despite beginning a fresh two-year contract 10 months ago, Jones announced last week that he would be retiring at the end of the month after dominating 226 radio surveys due to health concerns. Ben Fordham will replace him, while Neil Breen will step into the Brisbane 4BC breakfast role.
Brittney Rigby was Mumbrella's deputy managing editor - news and analysis. She left Mumbrella in April 2021.
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The simple truth is Alan Jones has a big mouth and you can’t believe anything he says. His departure from radio cannot come soon enough.
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He may not incite violence, hatred, contempt or ridicule in the ACMA’s opinion… but in my opinion revulsion would be high on the list.
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Here, here!
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I don’t know how the ACMA operates but I would have expected them to respond to this issue much faster and it is a poor outcome for them to weigh the response on the basis that Alan Jones is retiring.
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The fact that he has had a platform to air his archaic views for so long is shameful. Good riddance. Should have happened years ago.
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Cheers to that!
As for 2GB, shameless: “Mr Jones’ audience would be familiar with his opinionated style.” – Yes, that fits somewhere between insulting your audience and affirming your audience segmentation is based on misogyny and bigotry. Bravo.
Bye Alan.
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Human beings love to have a cause, an idol, a hero or heroine, a favorite celebrity, personality, etc. Some human beings also love to have a villain, a black sheep, a whipping boy, an object of ridicule, or hate.
I am no fan of Alan Jones, but I understand that he has had a brilliant career, a strong following, and a lot of support from fans. Jones is not a learned person of letters, a trusted social commentator, a serious philosopher, or in any way, the voice of the people, neither is he God; Jones is a shock jock, a paid “shit-stirrer” whose job it has been to be controversial, he has made it his artform, and he is also very good at it.
The socially responsible are probably to be found in the topmost section of the pyramid of human types, the majority of unaware, ill-educated, and/or totally ignorant people, are in the more heavily populated bottom section, and it is from there that Jones draws his supporters and followers.
Those who advertise with him, are not necessarily supporters, simply opportunists looking for the greatest number of particular consumers.
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One of the great commentators of our time. A couple of errant lines over about 30 years and all the lefties come tumbling out the cupboard.
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I’m not sure you should claim to represent all of us ‘Australia’.
Alan has a huge mainstream following.
Jacinta Ardern was out of line and needed to be reprimanded, however his choice of words was somewhat unfortunate.
It’s strange how most advertising and media people see anything other than a progressive left wing agenda as reprehensible and archaic.
We are so out of step with real Australians………..you know the silent majority that voted in the Morrison government.
As Jane Caro would describe them ‘the truculent turds’.
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Let’s allow him to continue to operate unhindered for months and then once the problem has resolved itself and been left to fester for months – then lets have an opinion.
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‘A more balanced perspective’? You’re having a laugh.
People didn’t want to vote for Shorten, the only other choice was Morrison. He rewarded them by buggering off to the other side of the world whilst the country burned. He’ll be rewarded for that at the next election.
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Alan Jones has always held politicians up for ridicule whether they are male/female/left/right (just ask Malcolm Turnbull).
It is only when he says something against a politician who happens to be female that the loony left start hammering away on their keyboards.
If the above quote had been “The ACMA also acknowledges that the references to Mr Bill Smith could build a negative association in the listener that a male leader was less competent, as his tone was condescending at times, including calling him ‘sonny boy’,” it wouldn’t even rate a mention, ie there wouldn’t have been a complaint made!
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I don’t know who Richard Moss is,and if I should I apologise.
I only know his name because he pops up here and a few other places with comments that are always well written,balanced and demonstrate enormous commonsense.
I tire of the zealots.
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