Compare and contrast these two issues.
Australia: Alan Jones :: Bully who rules the airwaves :: One rule for muftis, another for shock jocks :: Editorial: An incitement to squash free speech
USA: Don Imus :: Don Imus’ ‘nappy’ remark has long, hurtful history in describing African-American hair :: Imus axed permanently by CBS
Both were expressing in their respective rights in the media to freedom of speech. Although the outcomes couldn’t of been more different. In Australia, the end result was violence and property damage. In the USA, Imus uttered hateful, poisonous words.
Alan Jones gets a pat on the back and lionised by Prime Minister John Howard and Communications Minister Helen Coonan, while Don Imus gets a right bollocking by all concerned.
CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in a statement today: “From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and repulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent. Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society – all races, economic groups, men and women alike.
In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation and our many other constituencies.”
Don’t hold your breath expecting either John Howard or Phillip Rudd to articulate comparable integrity to Leslie Moonves. Jones shot his mouth off over existing community tension in Sydney and and in all probability contributed to the shocking incidents at Cronulla in 2005. But I suppose we really shouldn’t be surprised at all at the low level of critical debate in this country. It’s probably festering in a rapidly drying water catchment, waiting for El Nino to dissipate.
