Another community radio station is in trouble with ACMA for sponsorship breaches in its ethnic programs.

ACMA determined that the licensee of 2BCR breached the Broadcasting Services Act on two occasions by broadcasting sponsorship announcements that ran in total for more than 5 minutes in the hour, during both the ‘Radio Rim Jhim Ka Sangam’ program broadcast on 20th February 2005 and the ‘Radio Jhankaar’ program broadcast on 13th March 2005.

The announcement in question included the following exchange, which is very familiar to another recent breach on 2GLF Liverpool involving the same retailer, Moshim’s Discount House:

Presenter: And now to tell you about specials at Moshim’s Discount House.
As I told you, DVDs generally range from $6.99 but now only at $2.99 a saving of $4.00.

Sahara Masala pack range, generally a packet at $1.25 and now 49c a packet, Save 75c.

Halaal lamb and New Zealand lamb shanks now $5.99 a kilo earlier $7.99 so save $2.00.

If you buy goods worth $50.00 then a CD free so go and try. If you buy a $10.00 phone card long distance you get it only for $9.00 today.

Now the manager in our studio, Namaskar Sumesh ji.
You know the specials at your shop and the prices you give people are surprised and they say how can it be?
But it does happen.

And, it happens in your shop. That is at Moshim’s Discount House.

So tell us the DVDs at $6.99 are now at $2.99.

Sumesh: Yes Eddi ji, sorry, Alex ji, Yes.

Presenter: Lamb pieces $7.99 and now $5.99 and buyers after spending $50.00, get a
free CD?

Sumesh: Yes.

Presenter: Sumesh ji, tell us what specials you will give tonight?

Sumesh: What have you told the listeners?

Presenter: How can you say, you tell us, halal wild rooster, can you give you whole
or pieces for $9.99?

Sumesh: Yes, I can do it, I can do $9.99 for you.

On a related complaint, ACMA found the licensee did not breach clause 9(1)(b) of Part 5 of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, as it did not broadcast an advertisement during the Radio Rim Jhim Ka Sangam program broadcast on 20 February 2005.

In response to the breach finding, the licensee has undertaken to incorporate the timing of announcements introducing upcoming programs that acknowledge sponsors within the five-minute limit in future; counselled the presenter of each program, who now understand the requirements of the sponsorship policy; and reaffirmed the sponsorship policy to all broadcasters in a written memorandum.

ACMA considers that these actions address the compliance issues raised by the investigation and will continue to monitor the licensee’s compliance with the relevant licence conditions.