ACMA finds 2GB breached code
,cecil
Line
Show that was likely to vilify people of Lebanese background on the
basis of ethnicity
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the
licensee of 2GB Sydney, Harbour Radio Pty Ltd, breached the
Commercial
Radio Code of Practice by broadcasting material that was likely to
vilify people of Lebanese background on the basis of ethnicity.
The breach arose from material included in The Open-Line Show hosted
by 2GB presenter, Mr Brian Wilshire, broadcast on 15 December 2005.
While ACMA found the material was presented for a purpose in the
public interest, being discussion of factors contributing to unrest
in
southern Sydney, ACMA was not persuaded that the comments were
presented reasonably and in good faith for this purpose.
Full press release:
http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.1507598:STANDARD::pc=PC_101042
Because 2GB apologised on-air and on Channel 10 news, the ACMA
decided
to take no action. 2GB will probably give Brian a pay rise for all
the
free publicity the incident gave the station.
,cecil
this AAP story has the comments he made:
Fed: 2GB found guilty of flouting radio rules
CANBERRA, Jan 29 AAP - Sydney broadcaster 2GB breached radio rules
when a presenter called Lebanese people inbred and stupid just days
after the Cronulla riots, the broadcasting watchdog has ruled.
In a report released today, broadcasting watchdog the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found 2GB licensee Harbour
Radio Pty Ltd had breached the commercial radio code of practice.
The breach was under a clause which prevents the broadcasting of
programs likely to incite or perpetuate hatred against or vilify a
person or group on the basis of their ethnicity. Harbour Radio is a
subsidiary of the Macquarie Radio Network.
The breach occurred during the late night The Open-Line Show, hosted
by Brian Wilshire, on December 15, 2005.
The talkback program went to air just days after the Cronulla riots
and subsequent revenge attacks by people of Middle Eastern descent.
ACMA found that while the material presented was of public interest,
it was not convinced the comments were presented reasonably and in
good faith.
In a transcript of the program in the ACMA report, the presenter is
quoted as describing Lebanese people as having a low IQ because their
parents had married their cousins.
"Many of them have parents who are first cousins ... the result of
this is inbreeding," Mr Wilshire said.
"The result of which is uneducationable (sic) people ... and (a) very
low IQ."
He goes on to say that there needs to be a plan to protect people
either involving caging "them (the Lebanese) or cage the good guys".
ACMA will continue to monitor the station but noted that 2GB had
broadcast an apology the next day and undertook staff training on
complying with the broadcasting rules.
"ACMA notes the licensee's prompt and prominent public apology and
its
re-emphasis on compliance training in this case," it said.
"As such, ACMA considers these actions are a reasonable response to
the circumstances identified in the investigation.
"ACMA will closely monitor the licensee's ongoing performance against
this provision of the code."
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