Party like it’s 1999, ‘cos talkback radio has a new cash-for-comment scandal!

During the week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that Nine Radio, meaning Sydney’s 2GB and Melbourne’s 3AW, breached broadcasting rules by failing to disclose advertising agreements between their presenters and companies featured in their current affairs programs.

Ben Fordham, host of Sydney’s top-rating breakfast show on 2GB, was overly excited about undisclosed sponsor, Uber, during a show last August, while over in Melbourne on ​​3AW Afternoons that same month, BMW was flavour of the day. 

The ACMA ruled the penalty for the breach would be that the “relevant current affairs presenters, producers and sales staff undertake formal training on the commercial disclosure requirements”. So, a training half-day, with some nice wraps and muesli cups from that place up the road? Pretty good deal, considering.