The Macquarie Radio Network (MRN) has suspended all advertising on the Alan Jones Breakfast Show on Sydney station 2GB.
In a remarkable statement issued today, MRN said it had called “time out” because of a campaign of “cyber-bullying” on social media, describing the Facebook and Twitter campaign over the past week as “21st Century censorship”.
Arguing that radio “is arguably the original form of social media”, MRN said: “The difference between 2GB and some catchy URL is that MRN operates in a regulated media environment.”
The network said the “unprecedented decision to suspend advertising in the Alan Jones Breakfast Show” had been taken “so that all of our advertisers are on an equal footing, can regroup and discuss with us the way forward and how we together deal with these attempts to damage great Australian businesses.”
Text of statement from Macquarie Radio Network.
Macquarie Radio Network Limited (“MRN”), the owner of radio station 2GB, today announced a temporary suspension of all advertising in its top rating weekday Breakfast Show hosted by Alan Jones.
The move follows a week of unprecedented focus throughout mainstream and social media on Jones and remarks he made recently at a private function regarding Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the loss of her father. More specifically, the move has been prompted by actions being taken and threatened against companies advertising on the Alan Jones Breakfast Show. [Read more…]