Complaint letter response. MC and Mel off air. Advertising remains suspended. Station tried to contact nurses before audio went to air.
Southern Cross Austereo chairman Max Moore-Wilton has responded to a complaint letter from the King Edward VII Hospital and, in a video message (below) Rhys Holleran says MC and Mel’s radio show “will not go ahead into the future and will be reviewed.”
Rhys Holleran also spoke this moring to 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, saying that the station attempted to contact the nurses in the call at least five times.
In the interview Mitchell refers to Code 9 of the commercial codes of practice. That code says in part:
Over the weekend, hospital chairman Lord Glenarthur wrote protesting in the strongest possible terms “about the hoax call made from your radio station, 2Day FM, to this hospital last Tuesday.”
He said “it was extremely foolish of your presenters even to consider trying to lie their way through to one of our patients, let alone actually make the call. Then to discover that, not only had this happened, but that the call had been pre-recorded and the decision to transmit approved by your station’s management, was truly appalling…” See the full letter in our earlier story
In reply, Max Moore-Wilton has written:
Thank you for your letter of the 8th December.
We are all saddened by the events of the last few days. They are truly tragic.
It is too early to know the full details leading to this tragic event and we are anxious to review the results of an investigation that may be made available to us or made public. We can assure you that we will be fully cooperative with all investigations.
As we have said in our own statements on the matter, the outcome was unforeseeable and very regrettable.
I can assure you we are taking immediate action and reviewing the broadcast and processes involved.
Our Company joins with you, all at King Edward VII’s Hospital and Mrs Saldanha’s family and friends in mourning their tragic loss.“
SCA has also posted this video statement from CEO Rhys Holleran on its corporate website, saying the hearts of Austereo staff go out to the family.
In the statement he also confirmed that MC and Mel will not return to their show and that the show will be reviewed. UK Police have now contacted Australian Police to investigate the case. Holleran says the company “will cooperate” with police investigations.
2Day wil continue without advertising until some time later this week, when a decision will be made about returning ads to air and potentially exposing advertisers to a consumer backlash.
Jacintha Saldanha’s husband has posted a message on his facebook page saying he is “devestated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife in tragic circumstances. She will be laid to rest in Shiva India…” and has begun a tribute page displaying Jacintha’s picture.
To seek counselling on suicide prevention and mental illness, see www.beyondblue.org.au or call Lifeline on 131 114.