Radio got coverage for all the wrong reasons last week. What seemed to be a local case of contest rigging in Perth became headline news across Australia. Normally, that’s good news for Radio. Whether its Kyle Sandilands’ bad taste or Chris Smith’s bad judgement, they and the medium thrive on the publicity. Not so good, though, when out and out dishonesty is involved. Things that go on in the studio or between adults off-air (consenting or otherwise) are all seen to be part of the rich tapestry of entertainment that Radio provides – so long as no listeners are hurt in its making. But rig a contest where rank and file listeners are cheated then the precious bond between a station and its audience, founded on credibility, becomes tarnished. And that won’t do.

While rigged contests have other media pointing their fingers at Radio there are plenty of other temptations around a studio to attract sticky fingers, from concert tickets to CDs. One colleague at a major city station in charge of staff club funds raised for the purpose of an end-of-year trip, was found to have gambled the money away. Subsequently, he was frog-marched out the door while the staff club went nowhere.

How rampant is dishonesty in Radio. What have you seen in your career? Is it happening at your station? Does management know? Do they turn a blind eye?

Do you?

Have you ever reported dishonesty to your boss? Would you if you saw it? And if not why wouldn’t you?

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As usual, you are under no obligation to stick to this topic. You may use this forum to express any view you like, provided it has something to do with radio and provides no grounds for litigation.