TripleM has apologised for “unacceptable” and “inappropriate” comments made by broadcaster Eddie McGuire and said the radio network’s staff will receive training from violence against women charity White Ribbon on the acceptable use of language.
The network also said it had been considering further action against those involved, but in the end decided the widespread condemnation has been sufficient.
The comments by McGuire, North Melbourne president James Brayshaw and ALF star Danny Frawley referenced drowning Fairfax chief football journo Caroline Wilson. They were made at a charity event over the June long weekend.
The comments have been widely condemned, with McGuire being labelled a pig, the MEAA admonishing the ‘banter’, and the Opposition Bill Shorten and PM Malcolm Turnbull snubbing McGuire. Holden is even reconsidering its future sponsorship with Collingwood – the football club McGuire is president of – even though some say it’s an overreaction from the automobile company.
All those involved have since apologised for their remarks.
“TripleM acknowledges the widespread public condemnation of comments made on TripleM Football last week,” the statement from the network says.
“The comments were inappropriate and unacceptable, disrespectful to Caroline Wilson and to women in general. TripleM apologises to its listeners, the wider community and Caroline Wilson.
“The TripleM employees involved in an on-air discussion before the Freeze MND have been counselled and each have apologised for their remarks and acknowledged the importance of stamping out language and behaviour that encourages or appears to tacitly endorse violence, most particularly against women.
“The broadcast staff of all TripleM stations have been reminded that language of this nature is not acceptable and there is no context that makes it acceptable. We recognise that continued and further education is necessary to ensure that all staff understand what is acceptable and what won’t be tolerated. We have arranged for all our on air staff to undergo training from White Ribbon and to enable them to further promote their message, this weekend TripleM will be donating its on-ground digital signage to White Ribbon.
“TripleM has carefully considered whether further disciplinary action is required and believes that the public censure of the comments and the actions taken by the AFL community should be a sufficient incentive for a change in behaviour.”
