UPDATED: Southern Cross Austereo has said it is considering its position after it failed to stop the media watchdog's probe into 2Day FM's infamous royal prank phone call.
In a statement SCA said: "We are reviewing the judgement and considering our position. There will be no further comment at this time."
Sydney radio station 2DayFM's bid to stop the media watchdog’s investigation into last year’s royal prank call scandal has failed.
In Federal Court this morning Justice Richard Edmonds dismissed the Southern Cross Austereo (SCA)owned station’s arguments and ruled in favour of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
In June this year SCA moved to block ACMA’s investigation into whether the infamous prank segment breached the Surveillance Devices Act.
The station argued that ACMA does not have the power to “investigate whether the recording of a telephone call breaches State or Federal laws”.
With ACMA’s path cleared 2DayFM could lose its broadcasting licence if the watchdog finds it breached licence conditions and the law.
The prank call scandal saw two radio DJs call the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for morning sickness. The duo tricked nurse Jacinta Saldanha, who later committed suicide, to transfer their call through to Kate Middleton’s hospital ward.
For more on the legality of the prank call click here.
