SCA’s Hit Network and Triple M pull ‘insensitive’ songs as a result of bushfire crisis
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has made the decision to pull songs which could be considered ‘insensitive’ or ‘in poor taste’ for its Hit and Triple M networks nationally as Australia grapples with its ongoing bushfire crisis.
Songs with lyrics relating to fire or burning have been dropped from rotation, with Hit and Triple M head of music, Mickey Maher, saying the decision was made out of respect for affected communities.
Southern Cross Austereo will be pulling ‘insensitive’ songs during the bushfire crisis
“Out of respect for the devastation impacting so much of our community, we have removed any songs that could be considered insensitive or in poor taste across both the Hit and Triple M networks nationally,” Maher said.
The Hit Network includes Sydney’s 2Day FM and Melbourne’s Fox FM.
Australian Radio Network (ARN), which runs the Kiis Network and the Gold Network, including WS FM, said its playlists are regularly reviewed and the network is striving to be sensitive during this time.
“ARN regularly review playlists based on listener feedback and are always mindful of how some songs may affect our audience, especially given the devastating impact of the bushfires,” said an ARN spokesperson.
Nova Entertainment advised it regularly reviews its playlists and has done so during the months the bushfires have raged. The radio business regularly rotates any songs which could cause distress during tough times out of its roster for the required period. Chief programming and marketing officer, Paul Jackson, said Nova is conscious of the impact music can have on communities.
“We are conscious of the sensitivities music and lyrics can have. Several months ago we looked at the playlists for all our stations and took off all songs that might cause offence. We also have a call to action every hour advising listeners on how they can support or donate to organisations like the RFS, CFA, RSPCA and Red Cross.”
The media industry has reacted strongly to the fires across the country, with subscription digital titles pulling bushfire-related content out from behind paywalls and the ABC regularly providing emergency coverage in rural areas.
I guess we won’t be hearing “We didn’t start the fire” or “Beds are burning” on radio for a while.
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SMH/Age is also running this with the same quotes, so I assume it’s all come via press releases. A press release telling people they are not playing songs about fire so they don’t remind people about fire.
PR at its worst. Just don’t play songs about fire if you’re worried about reminding people about fire.
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If you didn’t know this already, my sex is on fire.
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Not far enough really, all words relating to fire, heat or smoke should be treated as hate speech now.
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Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire
Ellie Goulding – Burn
Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire
Doors – Light My Fire
I’ll see myself out….
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Interesting times ahead for Triple M…
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Have to adjust the itunes playlist and press play again…..
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From the same company which decided to have their “own” countdown after Triple J changed theirs due to it being insensitive to aboriginals.
The moral compus is all over the place here.
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Disagree with this Fern – a business has a right to choose its own values, what causes it supports and the message they promote.
The Australia Day issue may be clear cut in your head, but its quite divisive – a significant portion of the nation would either support leaving it as is or are indifferent.
I doubt you will find a single Australian who supports the bushfires.
Stop throwing your moral weight around, you’re just not good at it (I’ve seen your handle on other articles). Also, its “compass”.
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Triple m also said they would NEVER play Kiss music again, after Gene Simmons commented on Robin Williams suicide. Not too much later, they were the official network promoting their tours, and playing their music again. Hypocrites jumping on any moral bandwagon to pump up their own tyres.
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Or they just pick and choose when it see’s fit.
Of course a business has a right to choose what they support, we can just see right through it.
smh World’s going mad
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This is an outrage!
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10/10 reference RIP Keith
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