Heres a copy of my complaint that I have sent off... feel free to copy some of it... lets shut Ken up from making such statements!!! It may be a little "technical" but that is the nature of the complaint... hope it helps.
Adam
Attn: The Station Manager 4KQ
PO Box 693,
Coorparoo DC,
QLD, 4151
To whom this concerns,
This complaint is in regards to comments made by 4KQ personality Ken Brown on the 2nd August 2006. I understand that according to the commercial radio code of Practice, more than 30 days has elapsed since the comments were broadcast and therefore I am restricted in my ability to lodge a formal complaint. However I want to register with you my displeasure over comments which could be construed as “cash for comments” under the code and I will be closely monitoring future broadcasts to ensure it doesn’t happen again. The facts surrounding the issue follow:
In November 2005, the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) announced that the EPA and Brownies Coastwatch were joining forces, the press release can be found on the EPA website at: http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/about_the_...november_2005/ To quote the press release regarding the format of their messages: “EPA messages will feature in a mix of 30-second commercials, community service announcements and throughout the popular ‘Brownies Coastwatch’ reports”. The reason they gave for joining forces is that “Ken Brown is a well-known and respected local ‘boatie’, presenting boating, fishing, surfing and other water activity reports for over 15 years on Channel 7 and 4KQ”.
Under the Broadcast Standard 2000 Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Current Affairs Disclosure) Standard 2000, Brownie has a responsibility to disclose commercial agreements between sponsors and presenters that have the potential to affect the content of the programs he is presenting. In addition 4KQ has the responsibility to ensure that a condition of employment of presenters is that they comply with relevant obligations imposed by the Act.
On the 2nd August following a political meeting at the Sands Hotel in Cleveland which was discussing proposed closures of up to 50% of Moreton Bay, Brownie was asked a “Dorthy Dix” question about the meeting. His response was something like “The Pros are greedy and the rec fishos are even greedier and we (recreational fishers) wont be happy until we have taken every fish from the bay. He went on to say that everyone knows that the Bay is in dire straits and needs urgent management to save it for the future”. This is not an exact transcript – but the subject matter stands.
As a paid representative of the EPA, Ken Brown has an obligation to the public to disclose when he is or isn’t making comments which could be construed as a political advertisement, which within the code is defined as material broadcast a substantial purpose of which is to draw public attention to, or to promote, directly or indirectly, an organisation, a product, service, belief or course of action.
By making these comments without adequate disclosure Ken was in breach of both the advertising and current affairs standards within the code. Therefore it can be construed as “cash for comments”. This is but one example of Ken Brown making such comments, I’m sure others can highlight more, however it stood out in my mind due to the fact that it had the capacity to affect public opinion and in light of a looming state election with fishing as one of the side issues, it was a serious breach of the code.
Additionally it was a breach of Broadcast subsection 125 (1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and as it had the capacity to affect the voting habits of the public it was also a breach of the Political advertising requirements of Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
Of course people are entitled to their own opinions, however when these opinions are expressed on air and the individual making those statements has received consideration from an advertiser, then it is the obligation of that person to fully disclose their relationship with the advertiser and how consideration has affected the comments they choose to make.
I am calling on Ken Brown to either retract the statements he made at that time and reveal publicly the extent to which his professional relationship with the EPA and the consideration they paid to Ken affected his ability to make unbiased and objective statements regarding the political issue of fisheries management and in particular Bay closures which the EPA may oversee. As previously mentioned, any future comments made by Ken Brown will be closely monitored for political or financial motivation and if not correctly disclosed will result in an official complaint being lodged.
Thank you for your time and attention and I’m sure that this complaint will be given its due consideration.
Thank you,
Adam Young
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