2DAYFM is very much in the line of fire after its stupid stunt that led to the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha.
Southern Cross Austereo
In a summary following the coroner’s report, Detective Chief Inspector James Harman said, “You will be aware of the wider circumstances in this case and I can expect in the very near future we will be in contact with colleagues in New South Wales to establish the best means of putting the evidence before you.”
The comment clearly suggests that after the coroner’s report Sydney radio station 2DAYFM and its management will be investigated over the death of Jacintha.
The Telegraph reports that Jacintha took her life after falling victim to the hoax call in which she put through to the hospital room of the Duchess of Cambridge who was being treated for severe morning sickness.
Southern Cross Austereo and 2DAYFM went into immediate damage control following news of Jacintha’s death, removing the two presenters off-air and allowing them two interviews, one with A Current Affair and the other with Today Tonight, to explain what happened.
Both interviews are now thought to have been staged with presenters Michael Christian and Mel Greig looking like they were coached about what to say. That has backfired on Southern Cross Austereo after those presenters on national TV admitted they had nothing to do with the broadcast and that the broadcast of the prank call was authorized by management “above them”.
The Today Tonight and A Current Affair interviews have raised more questions than answers and the spotlight now falls to the “team” above them Derek Bargwanna, Director of Content for 2DAY FM, Craig Bruce, Head of Content for SCA and Guy Dobson, Director of Metropolitan Radio as well as Southern Cross Austereo CEO Rhys Holleran, the spokesperson for the spin.
Southern Cross Austereo in now under investigation from media watchdog ACMA and is about to undergo questions from the New South Wales police on behalf of Scotland Yard.
Bargwanna, Bruce and Dobson have remained silent since the incident but people want to know who authorized the call and one of them should know. The NSW Police investigation should find the answer to the question everyone at Southern Cross Austereo is avoiding to answer.
