Alan Jones loses High Court appeal against hate speech, this week; mass sponsor exodus from 2GB

By Ruth Skilbeck

Since the story broke last Saturday of broadcaster Alan Jones’ comments at a Sydney University Liberal Club function that the PMs father had “died of shame” social media has shown, once again, that it is the new force to be reckoned with in influencing public opinion, superseding talkback radio in the online media age.

In his press conference, last Sunday, over his comments that the PM’s father “died of shame”, controversial broadcaster Alan Jones assured his audience that it would be “’business as usual’ this week”.

As it’s turned out he couldn’t have got it more wrong.

The events of this week have been anything but for the veteran broadcaster, 71, who has found himself subjected to what many of the talkback show host’s former victims may see as “poetic justice” for the broadcaster who in 2005 was charged with hate speech- that was found to lead to race riots in Sydney’s Cronulla.

This week a decision was made to reject Alan Jones' appeal against a High Court finding that he incited hatred in comments he made before the Cronulla Riots reported by Fairfax Media- that led to widespread mayhem and community damage in Sydney’s multi-cultural beachside suburb.

Yesterday’s announcement by Mercedes Benz that it is repossessing Alan Jones’ sponsored car, and withdrawing all its advertising, from Macquarie Radio that owns 2GB, in protest at Jones latest "disrespectful" comments, has been followed by the announcement today that the radio station is suspending all advertising for Jones show.

All week, social media campaigns have gathered enormous popular support to boycott 2GB and its advertisers in protest against Jones's comments. Within days a change.org online petition had gathered more than 100,000 signatures.

Another “casualty” has been Simon Berger community and government relations manager for Woolworths and Liberal Party member. He was responsible for a jacket made of chaff bags - in reference to remarks made by Alan Jones that the PM should be put into a “chaff bag” (sack) and “dumped in the sea”- that was autographed by Jones and auctioned at the Young Liberals function. Mr Berger resigned during the week.

©Copyright Ruth Skilbeck