Report: Nine wrote to NRL club about anti-pokies editorial
Nine wrote to the St George-Illawarra Dragons NRL club about the anti-pokies reforms two months before comments in their NRL broadcast.
- Published by David Knox
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Nine’s role in the poker machine reform commentary has deepened with news that it planned a co-ordinated on-air campaign two months before Ray Warren and Phil Gould’s remarks during an NRL broadcast.
The Australian reports Nine’s managing director Jeffrey Browne wrote to the St George-Illawarra Dragons NRL club in July: “By informing the public of the key messages, we can try and ensure that the debate about the proposed changes is properly informed, balanced and that the community understands that many local sporting organisations and charities are heavily reliant on this revenue.
“To that end, I invite you to provide me with examples of the community contribution which your club makes, so that we may highlight some of those initiatives during our NRL coverage over the coming weeks.”
Nine Network compliance manager, Shelley Bates, had previously clarified the comments by Warren and Gould “were purely the opinions of the commentators regarding matters directly affecting the NRL community.”
But it later emerged they had been instructed to make the comments. Clubs Australia has also said it did not ask for Nine commentators to criticise the government’s reforms or spruik its website.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has initiated an inquiry into whether Nine had breached the conditions of its broadcasting licence, following complaints from Independents Andrew Wilkie and Senator Nick Xenopohon.
ACMA is believed to have received a copy of the letter.
Nine has confirmed the authenticity of the letter, but declined to comment while the inquiry is underway.
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12 Responses
Dodgey… When all of the problem gambers are not allowed to use the pokies any more they can stay at home and watch the TV network that truely supports them!
Talk about peeing in pockets.
The blatant nature of Browne’s approach and the corporate spokeswoman’s disingenous response to initial media inquiries is typical of the way general business ‘management’ practices have now taken over the broadcast media.
Of course we shouldn’t be surprised should we? Trace back Browne’s ascent into Nine’s top job via his mates. Appointed by Eddie who runs a club, working for Gyngell, best friend of Packer who owns casinos.
And on anti-legislation and anti-ALP radio, Hadley and Jones both work for 2GB who’s 60% shareholder is John Singleton who in turns owns companies that own a chain of pubs.
What hope is there for impartiality?
Two things. 1. What they did, worked. 2. I love it when the government feels the need to hold my hand and control my life. Now, let’s all go and pay for some carbon….
I can see another ACMA slap on wrist coming.
@m1tch, you clearly have no understanding of the nature of addiction.
It would be an interesting circle of karma if protecting his footy mates ends up with Eddie’s BFF Jeffrey Browne getting Boned.
@ m1tch – the issue is who decided to say what, rather than the actual reform debate.
There’s no way high profile on-air talent has the drive or ability to super a website across the screen. Anyone who’s worked in any broadcast media will know that’s the case.
I didn’t like the exchange by rabs or gould about this and no doubt Clubs Aus had something to do with it. I don’t gamble nor have I been affected by someone with a gambling addiction so my first reaction is its probably a good thing. But the clubs dont force people to play, if they are weak to put their life savings into a pokie then that is their fault.
“By informing the public of the key messages, we can try and ensure that the debate about the proposed changes is properly informed, balanced…”
You call what Warren & Gould said on that day ‘balanced’ Jeffrey? I sure as hell hope you have no influence on the network’s news coverage then…
Apparently even a web address appeared while they were talking about it so no suprise it was all work out beforehand. btw, change Hadley to Gould in your article above.
Perhaps 9 see future of clubs and patronage as key to their sports audience?
Oh what a tangled web we weave ! I would really like to know what percentage of Australians are against pokies reform. I honestly believe the majority would be all for reform. The clubs survived before pokies came along, so i’m sure they’ll survive with a little bit less revenue.