After 2GB’s Alan Jones attacked the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern last week, Macquarie Media has reacted, giving Jones a final warning. This statement was released by Macquarie Media chairman Russell Tate on Saturday:
On Thursday on his 2GB and 4BC breakfast show, Alan Jones made certain comments in respect of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, which caused offence to many people.
Recognising the offence caused by his remarks, Alan on Friday publicly apologised for them.
In his apology, Alan recognised that his comments were “careless, unnecessary and wrong”, and “should have been more clearly thought out”. He indicated that he had apologised sincerely to Prime Minister Ardern for any offence given, and had certainly not intended to suggest any harm through his comments.
Notwithstanding his apologies, I have today discussed the matter with Alan and advised him that any recurrence of commentary of this nature will result in the termination of his contract.
Jones is being labelled a “repeat offender” by some when it comes to aggression towards women. Most famously perhaps when talking about then PM Julia Gillard, Jones said: “I’m putting her into a chaff bag and hoisting her into the Tasman Sea.” Jones later made disparaging remarks about Gillard and her late father.
Russell Tate’s warning comes at the end of the week where Nine revealed it would be bidding for the remaining Macquarie Media shares it doesn’t own. In the absence of a better offer, Macquarie Media shareholders indicated they would accept the offer.
Macquarie Media’s new tougher stance against Jones comes as Nine is poised to take control. A new owner doesn’t want a breakfast host who could be becoming more of a liability than an asset.