Media watchdog ACMA fast tracks investigation into Royal prank call
Australia’s media watchdog has invoked its powers to investigate the Today Network’s prank call rather than wait the standard 60 days for the radio station to conduct its own inquiry first.
And the Australian Communications and Media Authority said that it intended to “expedite” its investigation. The regulator has previously been subject to criticism that its investigations take too long with many motnhs usually elapsing between an incident and the ACMA report.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority announced:
ACMA to investigate 2DayFM prank call broadcast
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) has opened a formal investigation into the broadcast by 2DayFM of a prank call to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London.
The investigation will focus on the compliance of the licensee, Today FM Sydney Pty Ltd, with its licence conditions and the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice.
In opening the investigation, the ACMA has decided to exercise its discretionary powers under section 170 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to commence an ‘own motion’ investigation.
Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA, noted ‘The ACMA’s formal regulatory relationship is always with the relevant licensee (and not the presenters of any broadcast in question). The ACMA will be examining whether the licensee has complied with its broadcasting obligations.’
The ACMA will be seeking to expedite this investigation and does not propose making any further statement while its investigation is underway.
The move by ACMA comes five days after the death of a British nurse who put through a prank call from Summer 30 presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian.
More follows shortly
Linkedin