In one of the biggest scandals in Australian radio history, Southern Cross Austereo has pulled all advertising on its 2Day FM Sydney station, after the nurse involved in the network’s Kate Middleton prank call reportedly committed suicide.
The furore surrounding two Today Network presenters’ prank call to the London hospital where pregnant Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was staying has exploded after Jacintha Saldanha – the nurse who reportedly transferred the call – has tragically killed herself, according to reports out of the UK.
The Today Network has been embroiled in controversy in recent days after two of its presenters – Michael Christian and Mel Greig – called the hospital impersonating Prince Charles and the Queen and were given information about Middleton by hospital staff.
In the wake of the tragedy, the network has stopped all advertising on the station in the short term, after advertisers including Coles began to walk away.
Both presenters have also been taken off the air.
Southern Cross Austereo released the following statement: “Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world.
“Chief executive officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances. SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy.”
Meanwhile, in a press conference held this weekend, Holleran expressed his sympathies but also maintained the company had done nothing illegal, and said prank calls have been a part of the radio landscape for decades.
He also said the two presenters were “completely shattered” over the incident.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it would be engaging with the network over the tragedy.
ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said: “These events are a tragedy for all involved and I pass on my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased nurse in London.
“The ACMA does not propose to make any comments at this stage, but will be engaging with the licensee, Today FM Sydney, around the facts and issues surrounding the prank call.”
Coles and reportedly Telstra had already pulled their advertising support from the station before Southern Cross made the decision to put a hold on all advertising.
Coles said on its Facebook page: “We understand Australians are clearly angry and upset by what appear to be tragic consequences of the 2Day FM UK hospital prank. We have wanted to let you know we have instructed 2Day FM to remove all Coles group advertising from the station as soon as possible.”
Thousands of comments slamming the Today Network have been posted on Facebook and Twitter.
Southern Cross Austereo was also surrounded in controversy earlier in the year when presenter Kyle Sandilands called a News Limited journalist a “fat slag” on the air.
The move to put a stop to all advertising was also recently employed by Macquarie Radio Network on 2GB, after shock jock Alan Jones had said Julia’s Gillard’s father had “died of shame”.
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