The Daily Aus The prank call that changed Aussie radio
Jul 9, 2025
A former radio host is suing his employer over a notorious prank call that brought devastating consequences. This incident, linked to a tragic event involving a nurse, rocked the Australian radio scene and raised questions about media ethics. The podcast explores how shock jock culture thrived in the early 2010s, fueled by social media. It also discusses regulatory shifts in broadcasting and the emotional fallout for those involved, highlighting a call for necessary reforms in the industry.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Shock Jock Culture and Regulation
- Shock jock culture dominated Australian commercial radio in 2012, focusing on controversial content like prank calls.
- The regulatory environment was lax, allowing prank calls to go on air with little restriction compared to places like the US.
Royal Prank Call Tragedy
- Michael Christian and Mel Gregg made a prank call to a London hospital impersonating Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth.
- The call led to private patient details being disclosed and contributed to a nurse's tragic suicide shortly after.
Divergent Royal vs. Media Reactions
- The royal family's response to the prank call tragedy was compassionate and restrained.
- In contrast, UK tabloids reacted harshly, accusing the hosts of scamming and flirting with charges of high treason.