B
BB-Leo
Guest
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21135930-5006784,00.html
'Stupid Lebanese' comments earn rebuke
January 29, 2007
SYDNEY broadcaster 2GB breached radio rules when a presenter called Lebanese people ****** and stupid just days after the Cronulla riots, the broadcasting watchdog has ruled.
In a report released today, broadcasting watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found 2GB licensee Harbor Radio Pty Ltd had breached the commercial radio code of practice.
The breach was under a clause which prevents the broadcasting of programs likely to incite or perpetuate hatred against or vilify a person or group on the basis of their ethnicity.
Harbor Radio is a subsidiary of the Macquarie Radio Network.
The breach occurred during the late night The Open-Line Show, hosted by Brian Wilshire, on December 15, 2005.
The talkback program went to air just days after the Cronulla riots and subsequent revenge attacks.
ACMA found that while the material presented was of public interest, it was not convinced the comments were presented reasonably and in good faith.
In a transcript of the program in the ACMA report, the presenter is quoted as describing Lebanese people as having a low IQ because their parents had married their cousins.
"Many of them have parents who are first cousins ... the result of this is inbreeding," Mr. Wilshire said.
"The result of which is a uneducationable (sic) person ... and (a) very low IQ"
He goes on to say that there needs to be a plan to protect people either involving caging "them (the Lebanese) or cage the good guys".
ACMA will continue to monitor the station but noted that 2GB had broadcast an apology the next day and undertook staff training on complying with the broadcasting rules.
"ACMA notes the licensee's prompt and prominent public apology and its re-emphasis on compliance training in this case," it said.
"As such, ACMA considers these actions are a reasonable response to the circumstances identified in the investigation.
"ACMA will closely monitor the licensee's ongoing performance against this provision of the code."