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

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

Alan Jones loses more than sponsored Merc, social media campaigns work

By Ruth Skilbeck

The power of visual communication in advertising and self promotion cannot be underestimated, so when Mercedes Benz announced yesterday that it was repossessing its $250,000 sponsored black 2012 S-Class Mercedes from controversial broadcaster Alan Jones, in the wake of social media campaigns following Jones remarks that the PM Julia Gillard's father "died of shame", Mercedes-Benz gesture of condemnation speaks louder than words.

“We want the car back, the deal is cancelled, it is over,” David McCarthy, the car company’s corporate communications manager, told New Limited in reports today.

“We were appalled and shocked at the lack of respect (Jones’s comments) expressed.”

In a hastily called press conference last weekend, Jones had brushed off his remarks about the PMs father and said that "it would be "business as usual". When he gave his next talkback radio breakfast show after the long weekend on Tuesday, images of Jones in the chauffuer-driven Mercedes were widely broadcast- on the internet and TV.

Sponsors provide their products to "celebrities" for endorsement and association with a brand, to reach maximum exposure.

This could have been designed to send a subliminal visual message to the world that Jones was safe in his position in his luxury prestige car and supported.

So in stating they are repossessing the car, and publicly withdrawing their support, Mercedes-Benz are making it quite clear that they do not want to be associated with the broadcaster and Jones' 'brand' of "disrespectful"  verbal messages.

Mercedes-Benz has said they will repossess the car if Jones does not return it by October 31, News Limited reported today.

© Copyright Ruth Skilbeck

Re-captioned image circulating on Facebook 7.10. 2012