Two weeks ago the papers told us that Alan Jones has no real political influence. This week, with Jones under attack from ACMA, the Prime Minister, John Howard took the extraordinary step of publicly defending Jones – and in effect contradicting his own government’s watchdog – by describing him as an “outstanding broadcaster” and “one who articulates what a lot of people think”. While that’s true, it nonetheless skirts the issue at hand as to whether “what they think” – in this case about Muslims – is acceptable on the public airwaves when clearly ACMA has decided it is not.
On top of that Howard’s Communications Minister, Helen Coonan has weighed in with a suggestion that perhaps the “code” as it pertains to talkback radio should be reviewed stating, “I strongly encourage industry and ACMA to get this review underway now, so all interested parties can have a voice and ensure good quality broadcasting and programming can continue for listeners throughout Australia.” Although Coonan has stopped short of praising Jones directly, it would be reasonable to assume that when she refers to “good quality broadcasting” Jones’s breakfast show is included.
With an election looming, Howard and Coonan have taken on considerable political risk in speaking up for their mate Jones who even his boss, John Singleton, describes as “a very divisive personality”? If having the PM and a senior minister on your side is not political influence, then what is?
Yet the most passionate defence of Jones came from Singleton, who, speaking straight from the hip pocket, told The Australian, “Do you think this results in sponsorships, advertising revenue or respect or increased reputation? No, no, no, this’ll cost us a tonne of money. People we’re in the midst of merger negotiations with will run (away) a hundred miles an hour.
“If there is recourse for 2GB as a company, its directors and-or Alan Jones personally, we will be taking them, against either ACMA or their directors.”
With the Prime Minster and Singo on Jones’s team, ACMA has gone from hunter to hunted in just a few days – and have recently issued a media release suggesting that they’re none too pleased with 2GB challenging them in the media stating,“Authority members today re-confirmed their view that it is inappropriate to make public comment on this matter beyond the report and media release issued on Tuesday”.
With this story having more heads than Hydra, please make comment on any or several of them. And tell us how you think this battle will end?
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