MRN consider action over ACMA’s 2GB finding

Following yesterday's finding by the ACMA when they ruled 2GB and Alan Jones breached accuracy and complaints handling obligations, the Macquarie Radio Network are considering taking further action against the watchdog.

MRN's Managing Director Rob Loewenthal (right) says:

“The investigations referred to in [the] ACMA media release fail to disclose that 2GB and Mr Jones were found not to have breached the code relating to factual accuracy in four separate broadcasts on 18, 24, and 29 October 2012.

“The ACMA also found in favour of 2GB in relation complaints concerning balance under 2.3 of the code in the 17 and 29 October 2012 broadcasts.

“The findings on factual accuracy represent a departure from the ACMA's previous position that 2GB could assume that an article published in the mainstream media was accurate.''

The director of the Institute of Public Affairs and their Legal Rights Project, Simon Breheny, has told The Australian the Abbott government “should act immediately to abolish ACMA because it is a threat to freedom of speech.”

“ACMA's ruling against Alan Jones is unacceptable in a liberal democracy. This latest decision is a political attack by ACMA bureaucrats against conservative views on climate change.

“Regulators should never get to decide what is true and what is not in the public debate. It is up to individuals to make these judgement calls.

“Shutting down ACMA would be a significant victory for freedom of speech in Australia.''

Read more in The Australian.