John Laws told listeners today he would not read any more emails about rape victim Carol’s talkback call (see other story), but SuperNetwork management won’t be able to so easily ignore the issue with the ACMA confirming to radioinfo it is watching closely.

“We are aware of the issue. We’ve received some emails and, consistent with the co-regulatory scheme that regulates broadcasting, we have referred complainants to the licensee.

“If any complainant is not happy with the broadcaster’s response, they can refer their complaint to the ACMA and we would commence an investigation,” an ACMA spokesperson told us today.

2SM Management is obliged under the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice to respond conscientiously to all complaints who formally identify themselves and submit complaints in writing. The code says:

Written complaints must be conscientiously considered by the licensee and the licensee must use its best endeavours to respond substantively in writing within 30 business days of the receipt of the complaint. If the licensee needs to investigate the complaint or obtain professional advice and a substantive response is not possible within 30 business days, thelicensee must, in any event, acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 30 business days and provide a final reply within 45 business days of receiving the complaint.

With twitter and an online petition now active on the issue, management can expect to receive more electronic complaints, but the station is only obliged to consider the complaints if the complainants identify themselves. The code says:

A complaint is an assertion made in writing by letter or fax by a person who signs the letter or fax and provides his or her name and address or, where the licensee has technological capacity, by an online electronic complaint form in which identifying information of the complainant is required.

The full codes can be viewed here, with Code 5 being the relevant section about complaints.