Radio dismissal ‘breached rules’

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found Sydney community broadcaster Radio Skid Row breached community participation rules when it dismissed a Jewish volunteer presenter without following proper procedures.

An ACMA investigation found the station failed to follow its own disciplinary procedure when it dismissed Nicole, who prefers not to have her last name used, without giving her clear reasons or offering a right of appeal.

Two senior staff members involved in the dismissal have since quit the station.

While ACMA found the station’s policies did not restrict participation on political or cultural grounds, its failure to follow proper procedures left Nicole believing she was dismissed for her political and cultural views.

The dismissal also contributed to a broader perception of barriers to participation based on political and cultural beliefs within the station, ACMA found.