Apology for on-air ‘attack’

Station says sorry for shock jock’s comments

A TASMANIAN radio station has apologised for shock jock Brian Carlton’s conduct and retracted “incorrect” comments made about a Launceston businessman on air.

Businessman and human rights activist Rick Marton posted a letter of “apology and retraction” from LAFM licensee Bass Radio to his Facebook page, saying it was “time to correct the record” after 11months of negotiation.

In the letter, Bass Radio apologised for an on-air “ad hominem attack” on Mr Marton

during a discussion about the then proposed changes to the transgender legislation on Carlton’s Tasmania Talks program.

“In November last year the announcer (Brian Carlton) of Tasmania Talks spent more than 10 minutes saying things about me on his show,” Mr Marton’s post read.

Mr Marton said he went through the “proper process of speaking with the network to give the announcer time to right the wrong”.

“I know that thousands of people heard that lengthy rant, and that my reputation had been damaged – most noticeably because of messages I received from his listeners advising, amongst other things, that I was a narcissist who needed psychiatric help,” Mr Marton wrote.

“What concerned me most was that he told listeners that I’d called them stupid.”

Mr Marton said his “ongoing

request was for [Carlton] to correct the statements”.

Mr Marton said he initiated a “national-level investigation” by the Australian Communication and Media Authority.

“After 11 months of negotiation, ACMA passed the report to show that the information said about me was not accurate.”

A letter dated November 5 and signed by Bass Radio CEO Alison Cameron, said the company formally retracted statements made on Tasmania Talks by Brian Carlton.

“We also seek to correct certain other statements made. Finally, we wish to apologise for the conduct of Brian Carlton,” it read.

The letter said Carlton was expressing his own opinions on the transgender legislation.

“It is acknowledged you called the show during the 22 November broadcast to introduce new information and to express views, which are different to the views of Brian Carlton,” it said. “On 23 November 2018 Brian Carlton analysed your telephone call into the show.”

The letter listed specific corrections and retractions.

“Bass Radio sincerely apologises to Mr Marton and retracts any comments made by Brian Carlton that might have caused listeners to get the wrong impression in regards to Mr Marton, Mr Marton’s business, his motives, intentions or comments.”

Carlton now hosts Triple M Hobart breakfast show, Brian Carlton – The Spoonman. He was contacted for comment.