2DAY FM prank jocks Mel Greig and Michael Christian will make their first public statement since the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha on A Current Affair tonight.
Mel Greig and Michael Christian
In a tweet, Grimshaw said, “Let me say clearly that our interview with the 2Day FM hosts for tonight’s A Current Affair was NOT paid for. Neither asked nor offered”.
The A Current Affair Twitter page announced, “First interview with the #2dayfm djs just recorded with @TracyGrimshaw. It’s raw & emotional. The full uncut interview at 6.30 tonight #aca9”.
The interview comes in the wave of a global backlash against the Southern Cross Austereo network after a prank call from the two 2DAY FM DJs lead to the suicide of the nurse.
Mrs Saldanha died after putting a call by two “pranksters” through to the room of the Duchess of Cambridge at the King Henry VII hospital in London. Mrs Saldanha believed she was putting a call through from the Queen and Prince Charles and after its broadcast was publicly humiliated around the world.
The Southern Cross Austereo network is under enormous pressure following the tragic incident after it was found that the presenters and programmers of the station did not seek permission from Mrs Saldanha before airing the call.
It is a breach of the code of practice for a radio station to put anyone to air without their permission. CEO Rhys Holleran admitted today that the station tried on numerous occasions to get back to the hospital for permission but was unsuccessful.
Scotland Yard has asked New South Wales police to investigate the tragedy. ACMA is also investigating the incident.
Christian and Greig were taken off air after the nurse’s death. Austereo went into damage control and contravened an extraordinary board meeting on Sunday afternoon to work out how to handle the disaster.
2DAY FM halted all advertising after major clients began to cancel their ad campaigns.
Austereo chairman Max Moore-Wilton has also responded to Lord Glenarthur, the head of the King Henry VII saying, “I can assure you were 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.”
