Lawsy gets away with it

[dreamer_easy]

Long-time readers of this LJ will recall my prodding you all to go and complain about shock jck John Laws' unpleasant anti-gay "humour". Alas, AMCA have let him off. I hope he's learnt not to call people "pillow biters", but I suspect that getting away with it will only encourage him, like any bully.

Comments

[matthewwolff.livejournal.com]

And presuming that the airwaves are governed by the state in Au as it is in the US, they can fine the individual, or his company, for irresponsible statements over the air? Or does it work differently? Is it considered a crime?

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

I was curious myself, so did some rummaging.

Over at the Australian Communications and Media Authority site, I found a recent decision which explained their powers:

Having found that a breach of a code has occurred, ACMA can request an informal undertaking from a licensee that certain steps will be taken to ensure no future breach of a particular code provision occurs. A wide range of possible undertakings could be requested.

ACMA may also decide to impose an additional condition on a licence. Additional licence conditions may be geared to corrective action in respect of a breach, or reducing the likelihood of future breaches.

The scope for a licence condition is very broad. Compliance with the code itself could be made a licence condition.

The imposition of a licence condition invokes some of ACMA’s stronger powers of sanction. Failure to comply with a licence condition allows ACMA to issue a notice directing compliance with the condition. Failure to comply with a notice means ACMA can suspend or cancel a licence, or refer the matter to the DPP for prosecution and possible imposition of a fine by the Federal Court.

Now again this is a separate thing from a complaint to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board. Their page on Vilification - Your Rights gives an overview (and the definition). In NSW, vilification is illegal, and the news item mentioned that the case has been taken to the ADT, meaning that Lawsy could face a fine. I hope they kick his amug arse.