Is Alan Jones 'hate speech' legal finding as much an influence as 'social media' on sponsors?

By Ruth Skilbeck

Mainstream media have largely ignored what must be seen to be an important background factor in the mass exodus of Alan Jone's sponsors and supporters this week- and that is the decision this week to reject an appeal by Alan Jones against a High Court finding that he incited hatred in comments that he made on his talkback radio show before the Cronulla riots in Sydney in 2005.

The finding against Jones is  reported  in the last paragraph of  article on page 10 of  the weekend Sydney Morning Herald, titled "2GB back in court on defamation claims".

The main story is that the High Court partially upheld an appeal over comments made by another 2GB broadcaster in the aftermath of the Cronulla riots.

Macquarie Radio, owner of 2GB is publicly saying it is supporting Jones, whilst at the same time suspending all ads on his 2GB radio show.

Efforts are clearly being made to cast  the controversy in terms of "activism" versus "advertising" - perhaps disingenuously at the same time making accusations against social media campaigns.

Will we see the mainstream media addressing the critical -and unforgotten- history of local talkback radio "hate speech" that left a lasting impact on Sydney's residents, and that  reared its ugly head again last weekend in revelations of the "disrespectful" remarks directed against the grieving PM -that her recently deceased father had "died of shame"?

Surely the finding this week against Jones in his attempt to appeal his "hate speech" High Court finding, combined with the evidence of his remarks about the PM, had some influence in prestige  sponsors such as Mercedes-Benz driving away at top speed.

©Copyright Ruth Skilbeck