The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has proposed new licence conditions on ARN following findings that The Kyle & Jackie O Show breached broadcasting codes.
Under the new conditions, ARN must adhere to tighter compliance and content standards for the next five years on any program hosted or featuring Kyle Sandilands and/or Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
The additional condition, attached to Commercial Radio Broadcasting Licence No. 4103, requires ARN to comply with clause 2.2 of the Commercial Radio Australia Code of Practice 2017 (revised 2018), or its equivalent in any future updates.
Clause 2.2 sets out standards for audience interaction, requiring broadcasters to ensure that anyone interviewed or participating in a segment, including callers, is treated with respect and not subjected to abuse or harassment.
The clause aims to uphold safe, appropriate conduct across radio content involving public engagement.
ARN has 21 days to respond to the ACMA’s notice. The authority will then review any submissions before deciding whether to formally impose the new licence conditions, which will be published once finalised.
Restrictions on offensive content
ARN must also ensure that The Kyle & Jackie O Show – or any other program hosted by Sandilands and Henderson – does not broadcast material deemed “highly offensive” to a reasonable listener or containing strong or explicit sexual references.
The conditions further require the network to conduct an independent compliance audit, designed to ensure ongoing adherence to broadcasting standards.
ACMA oversight continues
The ruling follows a series of findings that segments aired by The Kyle & Jackie O Show breached content and decency codes.
The findings centred on multiple segments from The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
In two separate episodes, the hosts aired a guessing game using audio recordings of male and female staff members urinating, with on-air speculation about which clip belonged to which participant.
Both segments included remarks about the genitalia of staff members, while the female-focused episode contained graphic references to menstruation and oral sex.
Another segment found in breach involved a game where a contestant gave an offensive description of a sexual position, while separate discussions featured lewd references to masturbation and pornography websites.
The new conditions will remain in effect until at least 2030, providing ACMA with a framework for oversight of ARN’s compliance processes and content standards.
Mediaweek has reached out to ARN for comment.