Radio Show Axed, Advertisers Withdraw Support

2DayFM has axed the radio show and suspended the two radio jocks who were involved in the prank call that resulted to the death of a UK nurse last week.

The London inquest revealed that nurse Jacintha Saldanha left three suicide notes, including one that directly deal with the hoax call of 2DayFM.

The scandal has further emphasized the need for regulation and control in the media business. In a similar case, News International figured in a massive controversy when it was revealed that it is involved in several phone hacking incidents in the UK.

This is not the first time that 2DayFM was involved in a prank orchestrated by its radio jocks. Shock jocks Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O did a lie detector stunt that backfired after a young girl revealed to her mother on air that was raped.

The revelation caused a major backlash and the Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed a five-year license condition. It also ordered the radio station to implement measures to ensure increased protection of children who would participate in hosted entertainment programs.

Southern Cross Austereo, however, once believed that worst is over. Chief executive Rhys Holleran said the company has done its best to handle the Sandilands crisis. Austereo is the owner of 2DayFM.

With the recent scandal, the company is now facing pressure from investors and advertisers to have a more solid risk and crisis management systems.

It remains to be seen though whether Austereo would have a tighter leash on 2DayFM.