ALAN JONES THE VICTIM? PUH-LEASE…
Why do so many Australians want to shut Alan Jones down – for good?
And why are so many prepared to mount an extraordinary social media campaign against advertisers to force their hand and get them to cancel their advertising on the Jones show on Radio 2GB – for good? The network can’t and probably wouldn’t keep Jones on the air when he’s not paying his way.
Alan Jones speaking at an anti Clover Moore rally in August. Image via WAToday.
You might be wondering how we manage to balance our rage at his comments about the PM’s recently deceased dad with our commitment to freedom of speech. Or how we reconcile the drive to force Jones off the air with our bleating when those with equally repugnant views are denied visas or closely examined before they get a visa to come to here. The Dutch politician Geert Wilders comes to mind.
They are interesting questions and tens of thousands of words have been devoted to the views of those with a take on each of them.
But if you accept social media and non-commercial talk back radio as a barometer of what the nation is feeling, then it is probably a fair assumption that this is not “orchestrated outrage” as Michael Kroger told Peter Van Onselen on Sky news.
What is being expressed is genuine moral offence.
And it’s the seriousness and depth of the national moral offence caused that has people questioning whether they’re prepared to go against our belief in freedom of speech and feel comfortable shutting him down – for good.
A genuine apology might have helped Jones, rather than a media conference that was 99% justification and blame shifting.
Jones and his employers may say his apology was unreserved. The problem for them is that it wasn’t and only a small number of people believe it was. And those who do, are rusted on Alan Jones listeners who see past the often spiteful, hateful broadcasts and admire the good work he undoubtedly does with his personal philanthropy and campaigning.
Perhaps too they are willing to see past the fact that Alan Jones is regularly hauled over the coals by the media authority – the Australian Communications and Broadcasting Authority – for failing to meet pretty basic broadcast standards.
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102 Responses to this article
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Hayley October 8, 2012
Personally I like Alan Jones and I listen to him all the time. What he said was at a private function, YES it was offensive, but he apologised. Get over it everyone… and I agree it is cyber bullying as some of the things people are saying are downright abusive towards him. Unfortunately I know that the hoopla is very labor/greens orientated so I don’t expect I’ll have anyone backing me up. But anyway I like Alan Jones and I’m allowed to (and PLENTY of people like him and listen to him) so that’s all I have to say
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Joni October 8, 2012
I’ll back you up, I don’t like Alan Jones but I believe in Free Speech and he was at a Private Function. Move on, People!
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Corina October 8, 2012
It is truly sad that so many women are still in denial about men like Alan Jones. As a woman who fought the war against rape and violence against women in the 70′s we knew that the types of sociopathic behaviour that Alan Jones shows is what keeps the hatred and misogynism going in a society that is still uncomfortable with the femminine. Sadly there are men who are like Alan Jones in our society who don’t have the kind of money and legal controls around them that keeps protecting their behaviours. These other types of men just carry out the hatred and misogynism that Jones sprouts from the safety of his position of entitlement. Thankfully there are a lot of men these days who have evolved and are much more conscious than many of the women who would be supporters of the likes of Alan Jones. When women act like this they are ingratiating themselves to the perceived ‘alpha’ males in a society. They in effect become ‘honorary men’. There are a few in the liberal party at present, one comes to mind in Sophie Mirabella. In order to change things for the better we need women who will be different and better than men, not just copies of what has gone before.
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Toni October 22, 2012
Very well said Corina.
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ellenni October 9, 2012
whether he was in a private or public forum was not the issue. the issue was the lack of compassion for a person who is grieving for their parent. were he to make this comment about my parent i would be seeking legal advice. it was the lowest of poor taste and i am glad he is being taken to task. are we fogetting this is the prime minister of our country and whether we voted for her or not she has the office and that deserves respect. freedom of speech is a convenient excuse is it not?
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H Errington October 22, 2012
Oh please you supporters of Alan Jones, you don’t seem to mind MSM bullying particularly by the Murdoch press. You all revel in it but when the boot is on the other foot, you cry victim! Is this not hypocrisy at its worst!?
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Norelle October 8, 2012
But it is bullying if we are tarring his connections with the same brush as Jones Where are you Arthur Miller?. it is The Crucible all over again. Frankly my issue is with the loathsome Jones not with the advertisers, agencies, staff, workmates – it is rather dubious.
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Ilsa Evans October 8, 2012
One of the issues here, I suspect, is that he really believes he is being victimised. He doesn’t see the hypocrisy. Those with an inflated sense of entitlement always see any moves towards levelling the playing field as discrimination. And that’s why yet another detour past the ACMA will make no difference in the long run. I for one am thrilled that there has been a social media move against his commentary. Makes me proud.
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monica October 8, 2012
Norelle, then its your right not to listen. Just as, if you choose, you can tell his advertisers what you think too. Thats the point.
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Norelle October 8, 2012
I choose not to listen, and yes people should ask advertisers not to advertise rathen than threaten them, that’s the bit I think dubious
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Julie October 8, 2012
No, Hayley, I won’t ‘get over it’! He did not apologise- he spent the time justifying his words and blame-shifting. Go and read the transcript. veeder.com/byrange?&from=1348968496&to=1348971166 You’re welcome to like Alan Jones. You’re also welcome to like Tony Abbott. That does not mean the rest of us have to. The sad part of all of this is that Jones, like other bullies, have absolutely no idea of why people are so offended by their behaviour so they don’t believe they have anything to apologise for. But turn their own behaviour back on them and they will scream ‘victim’ from the rooftops. What they call ‘bullying’ are people exercising their free right to point out to advertisers that they will not be purchasing their products if they continue to support and condone this amoral behaviour. That is unfortunately the only currency radio and television stations understand as most of them have no moral compass. These narcissistic,loud-mouthed, bullying creatures are appalling models for kids, and that is my biggest concern. I work with suicidal kids who have been often emotionally beaten into the ground by this vindictive behaviour that their tormenters have learned from watching and listening to adults who use it to brutal effect. Sorry Alan Jones- hoist on your own petard. Time to go.
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Tracey October 8, 2012
Alan Jones is a known quantity – he can sit on his perch and preach as much as he wants.
My issue is with the organisations that sponsor him; paying to be associated with his ‘brand’ and by extension the loathesome bile that spews from his mouth – previously those businesses made the commercial decision to put a peg on their nose to get his endorsement and get to his listeners.
What I’m saying (from a moral and ethical position) if you are doing business with AJ then I’m not going to do business with you. I’m putting into practice my very modest consumer influence – its not censorship or bullying.
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Linda Jaivin October 8, 2012
Was it censorship when people refused to buy products from companies that supported the apartheid regime in South Africa? No. Was it censorship when Indians listened to Gandhi’s plea to wear homespun rather than buy cloth that came from the power that had colonised his country? No. As in this case, it is simply people declaring that they have a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong that they wish to honour in all aspects of their life including how they spend their money. Like others who’ve signed the petitions, I don’t wish to buy products from companies that support the bile-spouting, hate-mongering bully that is Alan Jones, because the money I spend will go in some part to keeping him on air. Whether those who signed the petitions also listen to his program is irrelevant – his program lend him a outsized influence on public discourse that affects all of us. (Which is what this is all about, as so many of us were shocked and appalled at his comments about the Prime Minister’s late father.) Even if we are not his target audience, we are still target consumers for the companies concerned.
I am for free speech and democracy, but that does not mean I have to spend my own hard-earned money in a way that further bloats Alan Jones’s influence. Let’s not confuse the issues. If Jones can’t earn his keep on commercial radio, then there will still be plenty of forums where he can mouth off to his heart’s content. I’m sure some community radio station would be able to give him a slot, should worst come to worst. And with Abbott and others as friends, I’m confident he will always be able to get a free meal at Liberal functions.
Incidentally, I wrote a letter to Mercedes Benz thanking them for their principled stance. I suggest that everyone who has signed a petition write a letter to at least one company who has similarly withdrawn, thanking them and where it is true, saying that this action has gained them a customer or at least an admirer of their brand.-
dramaqueen75 October 8, 2012
Well said Linda!
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Al Harris October 16, 2012
Isn’t it ironic that the two biggest self-proclaimed “victims” of what they describe as cyber-bullying or restrictions of free speech are Andrew Bolt and Alan Jones who are both right-wing men who earn sqillions from networked radio shows and newspaper columns!
Oh, to be so restricted!
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Lisa Lintern October 8, 2012
I doubt Alan Jones has even read any of the online campaign. What I have seen has been determined yet dignified. In fact, when commentary started to get nasty and personal, leaders of the campaign were quick to step in to ensure the campaign is not seen to be stooping to Jones’ own low level. I’m with Ilsa on this one – this campaign has seen my faith in social media firmly restored.
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JM October 8, 2012
I exercised my right not to shop at Woolworths after one of their staff put a chaff bag jacket up for auction at a Young Libs event (and I am allowed to). I told Woolworths about my actions in a very polite comment on their facebook page. Now that the staff member has resigned, I am happy to start shopping at Woolworths again and have told them so. I am not bullying, just exercising my right to choose where I shop.
I have liked comments and made comments on the ‘Destroy the Joint’ facebook page in regard to the Alan Jones (multiple) incidents (and I am allowed to). I have always been polite, stating what I disagree with and why. These comments are not bullying,
I support (and I am allowed to) those who wrote to 2GB advertisers about their right to choose where they spend their money and to notify the advertisers of their actions and the reasons for them.
I applaud (and I am allowed to) the advertisers who listened to their customers and withdrew from 2GB. These advertisers are the big winners as they now know who supports them and who will buy their product.
I do not personally like Alan Jones (and I am allowed to), and choose not to listen to him. I believe (and I am allowed to) that he has repeatedly stepped over a line with regard to common decency and respect and now he is reaping his just reward.
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dramaqueen75 October 8, 2012
JM – you summed up my position perfectly. I have done exactly the same as you.
I actually educate young people about cyber safety and cyber bullying as a part of my work. I know the difference between a polite request for change and bullying.
I have not, nor has anyone else I know, engaged in cyber bullying. I too emailed Woolies and a few other businesses that I deal with directly. I asked them what their position was on the ethics of advertising on a program that is peppered with hate speech, disrespect of our elected representatives and offensive to many women (who, incidentally, generally make the majority of decisions regarding household expenditure in this country).
I have never threatened, been abusive or negative. I simply stated my disappointment that businesses chose to spend money advertising on this program and, by default, appearing to support the vitriolic campaigns of the presenter.
I believe we are witnessing a turning of the tide in Australia. We are sick to death of negativity and nastiness in the media and in politics. The hung parliament was always going to upset a large chunk of the population – whether Labor or the Liberal National Party had been able to form a government with the support of the independents. A lot of people either way were going to feel unhappy.
We are all tired of that unhappiness and negativity now – decent Aussies are looking for balanced commentary, fairness and a positive vision. We have drawn a line in the sand and said enough is enough. Alan Jones’ behaviour has been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
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Lucy October 8, 2012
I don’t like Alan Jones as I do find some of his opinions offensive but, like Monica, I have the right to that opinion and the choice not to listen to him, which I freely take up. However, what he said was offensive and I don’t believe he apologised fully or sincerely, he showed up to appease the populace. The public should be allowed to tell him, his employer and sponsors what they think of his behaviour and he should be accordingly sanctioned. However, he still has the right to speak freely, as do we all, and I don’t think the public have the right to see him off the air. The only choice we have is to not listen.
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Joan Woolley October 8, 2012
Sorry Hayley you have got it totally wrong, I like Julia loved my darling Dad so much to have someone say what Alan Jones said would absolutely destroy me, maybe you have never lost someone you hold in so much esteem and love that you do not understand how it feels to think you could have contributed to their death.
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Steve October 8, 2012
I learned a lot about bullies during my school years and I understand that when I stood up to them they revealed themselves as cowards.
They often seek to portray themselves as “victims”.
They are not.
Like all of us they make choices on how they behave.
It is my right as a consumer to choose the products I buy and I am doing my suppliers a favour in advising them of how I make my choices.
I will not do business with those who support toxic, manipulative, abusive political media spokespeople.
That is my choice. -
Kathrine October 8, 2012
For me the comment about the Prime Minister’s father was merely the straw that broke this camel’s back.
I wish I could feel some pity for one so completely lacking in sensitivity towards others and insight into his own motives. -
Hayley October 8, 2012
I am not down playing what he said – it was horrible and he shouldn’t have said it. Julie it is your right not to get over it
I was just stating my opinion – just like you I like him, and I like Tony Abbott. And Julie I’m not alone – both of them have a lot of support. As I mentioned I didn’t expect any support on here as it is primarily labor/greens Joan absolutely I have lost people I love (and I haven’t got it ‘totally wrong’ – I am allowed to have an opinion as much as you)… Alan Jones said a terrible thing and if I was Julia I would be devastated. He has tried to apologise to her but she won’t speak to him (and I understand that) This comment was made at a private function – I feel sorry for Alan (yes he shouldn’t have said it) but it wasn’t meant to be made public! Can we all say we’ve never said anything horrible to someone in private? Anyway as far as I’m concerned he has apologised and this will blow over shortly… just like Julia’s lies about the Carbon Tax. All the advertisers will get back on board with 2GB and all will be normal again. Might take a few months but it’ll be just like the Kyle Sandilands saga! I love Alan (obviously not the comments he just made) but everyone these days is too scared to speak their minds – he does and good on him! -
alice October 8, 2012
Hayley, The function organised by the young liberal club at S. Uni. was open to the public. If Alan Jones hadn’t been so unrelenting and ignorant in his constant vilification towards our prime minister, I don’t think I would have thought, enough. Julia Gillard didn’t lie, that’s a beat up by tony and alan, she broke a promise because like a great many governments around the world she has been leading a coalition govnt. and has had to compromise. Alan has been lying and whipping up unrelenting base hysteria for too long. This time his personal pride has experienced some of what he’s been dishing, for years
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Caitlin October 8, 2012
Hayley, it wasn’t really said in private. That’s just a fig leaf and in any case, doesn’t excuse the comments. But in reality the journalist was there as a journalist and in any case, you can’t make “private comments” in front of a room full of 100+ people. That’s just not the way the world works.
I don’t think this campaign would be getting so much traction if it wasn’t for the earlier “women are destroying the joint” comments and campaign around that. One thing builds on another and it’s a snowball effect.
It is your democratic right to like Alan Jones and if he gets taken off air, then you can lobby him to start a blog or a podcast or something so you can continue to follow him. He doesn’t have a ‘right’ to a broadcast platform, no matter how popular he is.
But seriously what do you meant when you say that you ‘like’ him? That he gets it right a lot of the time? Or that you endorse all of the hate-filled things he says on air (these latest comments on side). If your life is as filled with hate as that, then I actually feel sorry for you.
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Jenny October 8, 2012
I think this is all a bit of a beat up. What he said was wrong, he did then try to apologise – I don’t think I’d speak to him if he’d said that about my dear departed Dad. Since he made the comment it’s like everyone’s taken leave of their senses. I know what he was getting at, you know what he was getting at, we all know what he was getting at! For God’s sake, find something worthwhile to get yourselves in a lather about. Personally I’d have to win lotto to afford the things Alan endorses, my house in SW Sydney & my Hyundai will do me just fine in the meantime. Now, just looking for the Andrew Fraser apology to Campbell Newman, oh hold on, that’s parliamentary privilege…
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Corina October 13, 2012
Jenny your ignorance is unfortunately showing. getting oneself in a lather over misogynism is long overdue. You obviously haven’t done any historical sociological reading or psychological reading. Perhaps you should read ‘The Hammer of the Witches’ written by two monks well before you were born, perhaps a few hundred years. A most misogynistic manifesto. All that has come after is a slow awareness of how men ‘believing in their superiority’ have gone about ensuring that women stay in ‘their place’, so as not to threaten men. Men like Alan Jones and Tony Abbot are totally unevolved men. They still have a medieval type mindset, and have no relationship at all with the inner femmine. That is why they fear them so much and have to ensure that they are crushed and destroyed and kept in their place. The reason some men kill their wives and partners. Thankfully we have evolved far enough for many men to have begun a relationship with the inner woman, and can better relate to the outer woman. Jones’ inner lack of recognition of the inner woman is manifested in his fear and hatred of the outer woman. Thus he makes her responsible for anything bad that happens in this world. A little like a lot 5% of cases that finish up in the family court. they are unevolved dangerous men and it is timely and right that society is now turning on them and insisting that they take responsibility for their disgusting misogynistic diatribes, and also responsibility for themselves rather than blaming it all on women who threaten to actually change things to a more equitable and kind society. thank god there are men now who understand all of this and fight along with us. In the anti-rape movements of the 70′s hardly any men would show their faces in support, now you will find a lot more, and it is sad that there are still so many unevolved and in denail women, as they lend credence to the Alan Jones and Tony Abbot kind. Nothing like getting an onside female to do your dirty work for you, and then blaming her for what goes wrong. Gutless – Oh yes.
Don’t be an honorary man anymore Jenny, get some guts and learn a bit and start to fight for what is right for a change, instead of letting other women do the heavy lifting for you.
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Annie Also October 8, 2012
Hiding behind the call of ‘its democracy’ or ‘freedom of speech’ would allow the likes of KKK to be an acceptable part of our communities. I think there are always ‘bridge[s] too far” when it comes to these calls.
Democracy was based on the ideal of a representation of the people to form a Government. “Freedom of Speech” is not a given in our laws (as far as I can tell) but we democratically declare it as a part of our decent society.
Jones/2GB is pure capitalism at its most overt.
Democracy is not always ‘Capitalism’ and ‘Capitalism’ is not always ‘Freedom of Speech’.(aka transparency).
Underlying all this is a moral compass, decency, societal expectations and the respect and protection of the community. Choice is everything, but when it comes to disgusting diatribes (eg people abusing others whether it be in the street or on air) the ‘people’ should always have the call for their support to be withdrawn, in a moral sense or where they spend their money.
You can ‘like’ Alan Jones, but that says more about you then you may like. -
Michelle October 8, 2012
@Hayley – I hardly call being a keynote speaker at an organised Liberal dinner and auction “a private function”; especially when it was well known media employees were in attendance. Alan Jones has been pushing the boundaries of good taste, bullying anyone and everyone who disagreed with his opinion for years, decades even. Now that consumers are choosing not to shop at sponsor companies’ businesses, he is crying “victim”. I say Pot, meet Kettle.
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Jane October 8, 2012
Would someone please advise me, is Alan Jones gay? He dresses so superbly, and is so hotly against women I am getting this personal opinion. We’ve all read why Kyle Sandiland’s childhood has led him to behave so deplorably towards certain people, can anyone give me some background info on Alan – I can’t imagine he has a household of women letting him get away with these humiliating acts.
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Jennie October 8, 2012
Yup!
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Caitlin October 9, 2012
@Jane Alan Jones’ sexuality is not relevant. Plenty of gay men are not misogynists and plenty of straight men are. Many say that he is gay, but it is his choice to stay in the closet.
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Gillian October 8, 2012
This is no beat up, it is democracy in action. Monica says he has broken no rules. I think that means the rules should be amended so that Alan Jones (and all broadcasters/media) are obliged to meet standards of ‘public good’. He fails the public good test on two counts – one is the vitriol he spews, but far worse are the lies he propagates about climate change where he denies the mainstream science altogether.
Climate change is different from most other issues facing society because scientists warn about truly catastrophic global consequences from business as usual carbon emissions.
Our democracy depends on the independence of the fourth estate, the media. We simply can’t afford for the media to propagate lies about climate change.
Alan Jones, the bully, is getting pulled into line. It’s a good thing. If he drops the vitriol and gives climate science a fair hearing, he can continue to broadcast. Otherwise, he’s not qualified to fill the role.
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Ross H October 8, 2012
The problem is that the comments about Julia Gillard is hardly an isolated example of Jones abusing his position. Please do not forget he has been found guilty of inciting racial hatred with an appeal against that finding being thrown out. And the cash-for-comment scandal. His behaviour consistently goes way over the line. His so-called apologies do not actually include the magic little words ‘I’m sorry.’ Given his pattern of behaviour over an extended time, I find it incredibly difficult to believe that this was anything but an intended, planned attack. His claim that he thought it was a private function was utter garbage – all you had to do was buy a ticket to attend thus making it a public forum. Would he have apologised in this way and suddenly so contrite if he hadn’t be publicly caught out by a journo being there as a ticket-holding attendee? Not bloody likely.
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Michelle October 8, 2012
@Jane, what on earth does Alan Jones’ sexuality have to do with this debate? Answer: nothing
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JoanneH October 8, 2012
I am offended to learn this morning that I am a terrorist, and a cyber-bully ! (Alan Jones morning radio) just because I signed a Petition asking advertisers to consider if they wanted their brands to be associated with the hateful and ugly remarks that Alan Jones has directed towards the Prime Minister and other women.
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Ro.Watson October 8, 2012
Alan Jones is eastern, not western seaboard. I do know however, how the bile of a broadcaster can infect daily life~ and yes ,if eg too agressive..if this disturbs you,switch off or change channels..
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Lincoln October 8, 2012
“Who’s”?
Monica. I’m disappointed.
Otherwise, I agree completely. Well said.
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Gillian October 8, 2012
The recommendation that those offended by AJ simply “switch off” misses the point about whether AJ has the right to mislead listeners about the facts on vital issues like climate change, or whether he should be allowed to incite racist violence, etc, etc.
We need better regulations that require media to meet basic standards of public good. Propagating lies is a FAIL on that test.
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Carole October 8, 2012
Yes @ Hayley , We can all like or dislike as we please, the point of this site is that we all get to express Our opinion and ” hatemongers ” don’t get to dominate the converstion.
Presumably your OK with the other Bile that comes out of his mouth???
As for your claim about the Carbon Tax lies, that decision was made because of the Hung Parliament .
Maybe you didn’t notice the great lengths
that Joe Hockey & Andrew Robb went to in producing phony costings for LNP election promises.That’s what I call a Premeditated Lie.
In my home these two were known as the
” Dodgy Brothers”, just as bad as a couple of used car salesmen. -
diane October 8, 2012
Alan Jones is a Bully and can’t stand anyone challenging him, the one word missing in his apologise is the word SORRY, he only apologise to save faith which backfired big time, I say good on all the sponsors who have pulled there advertisement from the radio station, moore power to them, it is about time they started to listen to what there customers are saying, the radio station who employs Alan Jones should seriously consider retiring Alan Jones for good, and ashould all relealise that without sponors they will have no station.
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Chelso October 8, 2012
This is not censorship. It is the exercise of free speech and against another’s exercise of free speech. It’s the contest of ideas and I respect it. He’s been a one-way speaker for too long and he had it coming. What he said was downright disgusting.
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Marnie October 8, 2012
For too long Alan Jones and his ilk have bullied and harassed people using the broadcasting media and the public have been powerless to stop them. Now the worm has turned and people can use technology and the power of social media to object. At last we have a means to make commentators accountable for the vitriol, lies and bullying they mete out.
Alan Jones is discovering how it feels to have his ivory tower invaded by ‘bullies’ and if that makes him think twice before he bullies, belittles or destroys someone else then we can stand tall, because we, the previously unheard majority, made it happen. -
Hayley October 8, 2012
LOL @ Annie Also! So just because I like Alan Jones I’m a bad person? Because he made one inappropriate comment (which I have made it very clear I don’t agree with) which he then apologised for? (you can all argue he didn’t apologise properly but really it’s a case of he can’t win no matter what he does!) Well you better not like Julia Gillard then… she lied about the Carbon Tax (yes she lied – don’t know how people can defend it – the words came right out of her mouth lol If she went to an election like John H did for the GST all would have been fine but anyway lol) It says a lot about people to like a liar… see how silly that sounds? As the article suggests we can choose what we want to listen to or who we like… I choose to listen to Alan Jones and I like him! You don’t have to choose to listen to him
Carole absolutely we can like/dislike as we please but at this stage I don’t want to get any deeper into a Liberal/Labor debate Oh dear I think I’m better off not contributing to this site!! As a Liberal supporter I’m bound to get shot down! Thanks everyone for a fun discussion! I’m off!!! -
Caitlin October 8, 2012
Hayley, as for the Julia Gillard lied about the carbon tax trope… she shouldn’t have said what she did but I think she meant it at the time. The fact is that she didn’t win the election and a carbon tax was a condition of forming government. According to the rural independents, Tony Abbott was prepared to do it too.
She’s not the first politician who has changed his or her mind on something or broken an election promise. I don’t endorse that kind of behaviour but I’ll judge a government on what they actually achieve and do. In my view, a carbon tax isn’t the end of the world – it won’t do a lot of harm and it might do some good. I’m more interested in things like her education reforms.
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Janet Georgouras October 8, 2012
Yes, if I remember correctly, John Howard said a big no to the GST before he was elected.
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Janet Georgouras October 8, 2012
His apology was so genuine that now he just stops short of calling his critics unAustralian terrorist sympathisers who want to starve all 2GB staff to death.
Also Hayley, Jones has been saying despicable things for years. This was just the straw that broke the camels back.
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Amanda October 8, 2012
Come on. We knew this was coming. Of course he was going to come out all guns blazing. It is the nature of the man. He had a fairly polarised audience but now the broader ‘demographic’ is listening and they not like what they hear. How to fuel a fire… well done Mr Jones and 2GB.
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DJ October 8, 2012
Thank God for social media. In the past our protests to broadcasters and advertisers were received in a private capacity and could be ignored on a whim. Now we have forums where we can voice our opinions on what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. We can be heard. We can bring about change. We are not bullies!
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Char October 8, 2012
Jones has been bullying people for years. he is a bully. Smiley faces or everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I don’t know what anyone is calling cyber-bullying, he’s certainly no victim. it’s everyday people having an avenue to make their feelings known. Which they would never got to do on his radio station. The only reason Macquarie would kick him is if they’re losing money. End of story. No for any feigned moral outrage. His advertisers have banked on and profited from his antics for years. This one time, his appalling commentary worked against them.
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JoanneH October 8, 2012
After years of dishing it out Allan Jones is not enjoying all the criticism that he is getting. The best part is he can’t get rid of it by pushing the ‘cut off’ button this time. He is fighting like a cornered rat; I almost feel sorry.
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Kay October 8, 2012
Love this Jones’ quote in Fairfax press: “Easy to shoot your mouth off and present an image which is completely untrue.”
He is being ironic? Only joking. Irony is not the master blaster’s strong suit. -
Jessica October 8, 2012
Of course it’s right. He is a public and commercial entity subject to the whims of the market. The market is saying ‘enough’. That is capitalism in action. The feeding hand has been bitten.
Additionally, freedom of speech does not extend to hate speech. -
Julie Wright October 8, 2012
Personally, I am indifferent to the person, Alan Jones. I am not indifferent to his conduct whether it was at a private function or not. The fact is he stated abhorrent views to a large group of people using his power as a media personality. What the social media campaign is saying is this. We as Australians hold values and standards. These values and standards of moral code and conduct have been abused for a very long time now by people who stand to gain personally , politically and financially. It is really not about the man Alan Jones. It is what he represents that has Australians saying, ‘enough is enough’. It is not about freedom of speech. It is the way freedom of speech is being abused and used for the wrong reasons. I do not think you just ‘get over’ what has been said. It is not possible. I am a signatory to the social campaign and it is being held responsibly and on a fair and balanced stage. There is no political, financial or personal gain to be achieved with the social media campaign, it is simply saying ‘enough is really enough’.
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Trisha October 8, 2012
As individuals our only power is through how and where we spend our money and how we vote. It is our right to use both of these to influence the outcomes that we want.
That is what Alan Jones is doing through his platform, and how the wealthy and corporations of operated for so long.
This powerful clique is now concerned that the average person has found an avenue to exert their individual power, they want to shut it down because it does not suit their purpose. -
Akat October 8, 2012
Bullying a bully is still bullying. Didn’t our mothers always tell us 2 wrongs don’t make a right? The best thing to do is ignore a bully. I agree, let it be, I’m a big believer in karma. I don’t think that bullying him has any benefits to those hurt. Besides as its been said before it was said at a private function not on the radio for all to hear and we weren’t supposed to. Haven’t we all said or done something we regret?
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Janet Georgouras October 8, 2012
Who is bullying Alan Jones? No one. The campaign is to boycott companies that associate with his views. If you wish not to join the boycott or you wish to listen to Mr Jones, you are free to do so. The counter-bullying victim accusation that Jones levels at his critics is a classic straw-man argument designed to divert argument that Jones has been convicted and continues to abuse his public position through hate speech.
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red zelda October 8, 2012
It’s a bit rich for him to claim bullying and victimisation. He has been trying to unseat a government since the last election with insults and attacks. this is not a free speech issue. He should be controlled by anti-vilification laws, what would happen if our prime minister was put into a chaff bag and dumped in the harbour? Would he be deemed responsible.
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Kim October 8, 2012
I’ll take the Mercedes if nobody wants it…..even if they do go back to 2GB
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Lou Lou October 8, 2012
I think if the advertisers have stopped supporting Alan Jones as a result of feedback from the general public, and if at some stage, his show gets axed because it is not paying for itself, then I would say that is the free market in action, not censorship. Doesn’t Alan Jones love the free market? No government intervention?
And Linda, I have written to Dilmah congratulating them on their decision to pull their advertising and stated that I will be changing brands from now on and buying Dilmah. And I am a big tea drinker. -
Wendy October 8, 2012
As usual a great debate Hoopla. I don’t listen to Alan Jones, or care who his sponsers are, they have a right to choose their own actions. What I do say is , regardless of who or where these words of Jones were spoken ,there is never a time to speak with such disrespect.. Whomever that person who has passed away is they are someones parent or child, whatever the age. Someone mourns them , if its not you , mind your own business.
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Aussie Chick October 8, 2012
Freedom of speech = freedom to bear the consequences of your speech.
I don’t see anyone being forced to do (or not do) anything here! I see: people letting their opinions be known to private companies on a large scale; companies choosing to listen to the people that buy their goods and pull their sponsorship; and a commercial radio station choosing to change who is on air to maintain their income from sponsors.
Where, exactly, does “force” come into this picture?
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helenbea October 8, 2012
We are certainly in a powerful time of change brought on by the tipping point of Jones comments about the PM and her father. It’s interesting that the perception of Jones’ supporters is that he was at a private function when he made the remark and that people can just ‘turn off’ listening to him. I wish we could! Every time he steps out of line, we’re bombarded by the news in the media, clearly shocked by his appalling personalised hate campaigns. He keeps bringing himself into the wider public arena through his belligerence and determination to create hostility. Yes, we do need to know what he’s saying and we do need to act to uphold common decency and ethical and moral practices..
I’m of the view that we need to to be civil in our dealings with each other if we are to build a society that is growing and productive and yes, healthy and fulfilled.
The onus is on those in the public eye, in positions of power and authority, to be aware of what they say and how they say it. Herr Hitler was a master of spin who led a whole nation of people (plus a couple of others) to war, carried along by the rhetoric of nationalism.
The power of the word needs to be acknowledged. this campaign isn’t just about Jones. It’s sending a message to all bullies who want to shout down the voices of others. This is not a country that warms to dictators and dictatorial behaviour and speech. We have always had a healthy disregard for and questioning of those who try to tell us how to think. Our colonial foundations serve us well.
If we do not maintain balance in the voices of those who are heard in the public arena, what hope of a society based on the ethical and moral principles of democracy.
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Carole October 8, 2012
Hi Janet Georgouras , I believe John Howard was first elected in ’96 ???
He made a large number of promises before the election but soon after he won , to the amazement of many he informed the unsuspecting voters that many of his promises were ” Non Core Promises ” , he said it in such a way that apparently we should have known he had been lying & he didn’t think that was a problem.To give him his due , he did campaign for the GST prior to the next ?? election.
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Carole October 8, 2012
“Non Core Promises” meaning he had no intention
of implementing these promises. -
Cathy Johnson October 8, 2012
Yes, there’s freedom of speech and choice. By exercising his rights Alan Jones broke both broadcasting and community standards. As a consequence, the communities he offended have chosen to boycott advertisers who pay his income and used modern media resources to express their opinion of him. Those aggrieved by his on-air commentary elected ACMA -the broadcasting standards authority – and via appeal Alan Jones is now dealing with the Administrative Decisions Tribunal. Thus far Alan Jones is the only party facing official scrutiny although if Mr Jones and 2GB believe a computer-generated ‘cyber’ felony has been committed they should enact their democratic rights and call for official intervention. Short of that, they and their media colleagues can lobby the government for a media inquiry – its long overdue.
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lynda October 14, 2012
You are all wrong …..Gillard has had Michael Smith sacked from 2UE because he has the truth on her about her theft from the AWU nand the scandal of the cover up by Slater and Gordon……go to his website and read the truth …all backed up with documents!!
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FerrelBerryl October 8, 2012
Funny. I didn’t sell tickets and invite the media to my last ‘private function’.
The trouble with ‘free speech’ is that just have you have the right to say it, I have the right to hold you accountable for what you say. Free country and all that.
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FerrelBerryl October 8, 2012
Also, not sure how insulting the PM’s dead father is any worse than using his broad audience platform to call for somebody to murder the PM. Repeatedly.
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Chokyi Nyingpo October 8, 2012
Though it was written a few moons ago (and its previous incarnation was for ABC-TV Four Corners prog in 2002), Hoopla readers would probably do well to bone up a bit and get some first hand accounts on the man’s actual history before passing comment – see Chris Masters’ book “Jonestown” (Allen & Unwin 2006).
In his intro, Masters says he found Jones leading 7 different lives – and not one of them his own:
the thwarted prime minister/MHR;
the blokey, foul-mouthed ex-football coach;
the courtly, non-swearing charmer of old women;
the farmer’s/miner’s/union official’s/teacher’s son;
the Oxford orator (actually, he doesn’t have a degree from Oxford but a short teaching diploma, called a “Special Diploma in Educational Studies”);
the hidden homosexual, and
the ombudsman of “Struggle Street”.He has variously been a teacher (lastly at The King’s School, Parramatta where, in 1972, he famously told students to listen to Gough Whitlam and that he voted Labor);
a research director where, in 1975, he was signed in by Doug Anthony (of Country Party fame) as a pretext for becoming preselected for the seat of Eden Monaro, and;
a political speech-writer for ex-PM Malcolm Fraser.
I wont go on, but up til this point (and beyond) Jones had fudged his record as to what qualifications and positions he held on countless occasions – he is an inveterate fudger of the truth and this latest episode at his SydUni presso is but the last.
I have had first-hand experience of him from many of those times and let me tell you, he is not a man who will ever let you back in his tent if he evicted you.
Needless to say, I have never listened to his program (sorry, I lie. I did but once!) and have a very low opinion of any advertiser who patronises his program.
Enough said.
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Benison O'Reilly October 8, 2012
Misogynist comments aside, I once listened to a climate scientist who was brave/silly enough to go on Jones’ show – supposedly to present his side of the story. What a joke. Jones didn’t let him answer a question, interjected with blatantly false statistics, scoffed at him, and worst of all impugned his integrity by implying he was ‘on the take’ from the government.
It was disgusting way to treat another human being who had more ethics in his big toe than Jones could ever dream of. The bully is getting his just desserts and I’m loving it. -
fedup October 8, 2012
Loathsome bigoted misogynist who dishes it our but can’t take it. Good riddance!
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Pauline B October 9, 2012
Ooh I like your description – just the words I was looking for when all I could come up was revolting dinosaur! Thanks, fedup!!
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Mary October 8, 2012
Lol FerrelBerryl love your name
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Loz October 8, 2012
Last I checked, I have a right to decide where to spend my money, and a right to inform companies about such decisions.
Karma is a b*tch indeed. -
Rhoda October 8, 2012
Well said Helenbea! Have to agree. I so dislike the verbal violence that passes for public discourse in this country.
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Jen Hanlon October 8, 2012
I have listened to the man on the local 4K1G programme. I didn’t have a choice as I had a partner who liked to listen to someone ranting and stirring up hatred and dissidence. This man has been insulting the Office of Prime Minister since Julia Gillard has been in the Prime Ministership. He blatantly supports anything the conservative government puts forward. Listening to him interview Tony Abbott is nothing short of sickening. I’ve never understood why he’s on that particular radio station as he makes no bones about not giving a bugger about any minority groups. He should have been taken to task years ago. The censorship laws shouldn’t be about allowing people to behave like arseholes at the expense of the rest of the community.
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Sandra October 8, 2012
I, for one am glad to be able to use our new technology to voice my dissatisfaction with the reprehensible behavior of the likes of Alan Jones.
I am definitely not a bully by any means and to be labelled as such is once again offends me. I just used my right as a consumer to voice my objection to boycott some of they many advertisers until they took their support for this man and his program.
It is quite empowering to be able to join so many people with this type of protest – something that many of us have not had in the past. At last we have a voice that can be heard and more power to that is what I say.
It certainly didn’t didn’t take Alan Jones long to start bleating about being discriminated against did it, but getting him off air will be almost impossible. -
Natasha October 8, 2012
Ugh. To all the people saying Julia “lied”. Here’s the full quote “There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead, but let’s be absolutely clear. I am determined to price carbon.”
Alan Jones is a fool for saying out loud something that should well have never even been thought. His apology was terrible, and for him and his fan group to think it actually counts as genuine and heartfelt is just bizarre. So what if it was said at a private function (which it wasn’t). No one in that room signed a confidentiality waiver in order to attend.
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Tracey October 8, 2012
This is wonderful news to me. Well done for getting Jones to pull his head in.
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Terri October 8, 2012
We are all accountable for our actions. As adults we all should understand this.If we hurt others, shouldn’t we receive condemnation? Alan Jones needs to grow up, and how has this man reached the grand age of 71 without realising his actions have consequences? It appears only when the consequences effect his bank balance does he begin to realise this, but instead of looking at his own actions he proceeds to blame others of the very crime he has committed. Shame on you, Mr Jones.
Congratulations to all who have participated in this peaceful protest against bullying.-
Ella October 8, 2012
I said it before and I’ll say it again. Hit him where it hurts, in the hip pocket! Finally he has felt the consequence of his actions and he dosent like it.
Fortunatelly, he cant hide behind his wifes skirt, like Abott.
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Carole October 8, 2012
Thanks @ Natasha for the full CARBON PRICE quote.
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Pat stockton October 8, 2012
Mr Jones goes on and on about the lies, what about the one. ‘Australia won’t get a GST tax.’ That was a good one too, by Mr Howard
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Pauline B October 9, 2012
Well, he’s certainly getting heaps of publicity – and isn’t there a saying about any publicity being good publicity! Maybe this argument needs to be brought back to basics, ie what he said was unacceptable regardless of the person targeted, it was certainly not a private function (surely a private function is a family wedding or dinner party with no press present) and as the comment has simply revealed the dinosaur’s true colours yet again lets not listen to him and let the radio station & sponsors know how
we feel in a calm & rational way.
*Disclaimer* Please don’t think I ever have or ever will listen to him or 2gb!!!! I spend my time chasing around the ABC for Wendy & Angela…. -
Ray of Adelaide October 9, 2012
Honestly, it’s an absolute disgrace to have somebody like Alan Jones be paid millions of dollars every year by advertisers for voicing his opinion when he adds nothing to society instead inciting hatred and shifting the game to whoever comes up with the most outrageous statement will win the popularity contest. The blame should not be on Jones but on the advertising companies and his employer for funding his show. They should be boycotted until the pain is felt in their hip pockets then something will change. It should be a bold and courageous move by the people who oppose the so called “The Allan Jones Show”. Let’s boycott these companies!
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Amy October 9, 2012
We ALL have the right to free speech, even Alan Jones. But who said we ALL have the right to be paid a lucrative amount of money for it? Alan Jones can say what he wants. He can self fund his radio program, or start a blog or a podcast… But I won’t be helping to pay for it by spending money with companies who support him, and I’m happy to let those companies know it. that’s not censorship, it’s not telling him he can’t speak out- just don’t do it on my dollar!
I don’t think threats or abuse come under the banner of free speech and I’d hope those who want to see Jones’ program cut would feel the same, rather than mower themselves to s level. But, I suppose a minority will always take the low road. It doesn’t mean we don’t have the right to make a stand.
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Jenny October 9, 2012
Did anyone listen to the Grill team this morning?? Did it change anyones opinion?? There’s so much more to the person than we hear, that is of course unless it’s what we want to hear.
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Jan Dobson October 9, 2012
If only an audio of this could be played once hourly on 2GB for the next week.
I also thought carefully before emailing some of
the larger companies sponsoring Alan Jones and the radio station. I listened to the audio and apology and read the transcripts, in full, before taking any action.
I didn’t sign the petition asking for the termination of Jones’ employment because of doubts that doing so would step across into the censorship arena.
Yet some action needed to be taken. The callousness of these comments cannot be excused by a press conference that was more a justification than expression of regret. Nor was this an isolated incident as evidenced by the court ruling on events leading up to the Cronilla riots.
Having said this, I have no dispute with those questioning the validity of the actions and consider any threats made to Mr Jones, 2GB and sponsors totally unacceptable.
I’m also unimpressed with Mr Jones’ personal life being drawn into the discussion. Equally so, my actions in contacting some of the program’s sponsors make me neither a bully or an ALP apparatchik. -
Bel October 9, 2012
Monica you are the voice of reason, great article. But do you share my feeling of schadenfreude?
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lynda October 9, 2012
I too like Alan Jones…he is only saying what all of us beleive…Gillard is the worst prime minister in the history of this country….I wish Slipper would take her and albanese and swan with him
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Aphra October 26, 2012
Thanks so much for reminding me of that, Lynda. And there I was believing I could think and decide for myself. Of course Alan speaks for me.
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Amanda October 10, 2012
Sorry, a bit of exaggeration there lynda. Jones is NOT saying what all of us believe.
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Grace October 10, 2012
I don’t believe the calls for him to be sacked are an infringement of freedom of speech. He’s a pundit on a commercial station. The people of Australia, the people who listen to him, the people who buy products from companies that advertise on his show are customers, who are saying they don’t like the morality he displays. They don’t want that product any more. If he gets sacked, he’ll still have the internet and many other venues to trumpet his ideas. He isn’t being silenced. His megaphone is just being taken away.
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Lucille October 22, 2012
I watched AJ apologise. He, like John Howard, did not once say “sorry”. There is a difference.
Sorry vs Apology
Sorry and Apology are two words that are often confused due to the similar meanings that they convey. Strictly speaking there is some difference between the two words. The word ‘sorry’ is used in the sense of ‘repent’, and it is used as an expression to show one’s repentance.
On the other hand, the word ‘apology’ is used in the sense of ‘seek pardon’. This is the main difference between the two words, namely, sorry and apology. -
blue October 28, 2012
We do live in a democracy, yet as far as I know, as a society we don’t, nor should we, tolerate neo-nazism, for example. We don’t tolerate it when people say that a woman ‘asked for it’ when she’s raped. For hecks sake, we don’t even tolerate our professional sportspeople not knowing the words to the national anthem at the start of any national/international sporting even. And so on. Why do these radio jocks get a free pass when they say such things as Alan Jones did about putting our Prime Minister in a chaff bag and dropping her into the sea? Do we tolerate the words of such violence against anyone? Women, men, prime minister, or not? I should hope not. Please, exercise your democratic right to not tolerate his behaviour and change the station.
