Troubled radio station 2Day FM has suspended all advertising until at least Wednesday and has lost the support of major advertiser Coles, in the wake of the apparent suicide of a nurse following a prank call.
Radio presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian (MC) have taken the brunt of a media backlash following the apparent suicide of nurse Jacinta Saldanha, who put through their call to the Duchess of Cambridge’s private nurse, who divulged personal information.
The chairman of the exclusive King Edward VII Hospital in London has written to the Southern Cross Austereo board describing the decision to air the call – apparently vetted by lawyers – as “truly appalling”.
Last night SCA responded to the letter with one from chairman Max Moore-Wilton who expressed sympathy, but added: “"As we have said in our own statements on the matter, the outcome was unforeseeable and very regrettable.
"I can assure you we are taking immediate action and reviewing the broadcast and processes involved.”
On Saturday Coles responded first with the supermarket putting the following statement on Facebook: “We understand Australians are clearly angry and upset by what appear to be tragic consequences of the 2Day FM UK hospital prank. We have wanted to let you know we have instructed 2Day FM to remove all Coles group advertising from the station as soon as possible.”
A raft of new Change.org petitions have also been set up, with over 5,000 signatures on one calling for the DJs to be sacked, but only 229 so far supporting one calling on the station to be shut down.
