Australian radio network Southern Cross Austereo has reached a new level of shame following the suicide of Jacintha Saldanha, the English nurse who took the prank call for the Duchess of Cambridge in a London hospital from Mel Greig and Michael Christian.
Mel Greig and Michael Christian
The immature radio prank that disrupted hospital procedure during the caring of the sick Duchess in hospital has taken a tragic turn after Jacintha, a 46-year old mother of two, was found dead from the suspected suicide. Her children and husband have been informed after their loss.
Austereo’s Mel Greig and Michael Christian pretended to be The Queen and Prince Charles when they rang the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for severe morning sickness.
Jacintha believed the call was real and put the call through to Kate’s beside where confidential medical information was given out by another nurse and then broadcast on the Southern Cross Austereo network, humiliating Jacinta firstly nationally across Australia and then globally when the call went viral.
In a statement Dr Peter Carter from the Royal College of Nursing said, It is deeply saddening that a simple human error due to a cruel hoax could lead to the death of a dedicated and caring member of the nursing profession.’
Today the Twitter account for Michael Christian @MContheradio and Mel Greig @MelGreigHot30 were deleted. The pair have since been taken off the air following the death of the publicly humiliated British nurse.
The tragedy is yet another disgrace for Austereo. The company came under the hammer of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after 2DAYFM jock Kyle Sandilands talked a 14-year old girl to reveal on air that she had been raped.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA) will now investigate 2DAYFM over the prank.
UPDATE: Austereo suspends advertising on 2DAY as clients start to walk
If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide contact Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 22 46 36, or Salvo Care Line 1300 36 36 22.
