Major faux pas for FM104

TheLonelyOne

Unbelievable behaviour from two grown men. How they felt it necessary to mock a 4 year old child with special needs in incomprehensible.

Just going to add a link to this, in case people want to follow the story, because I don't know the context and it's very difficult to glean that -- even from Twitter -- without listening to the broadcast.

Here's the Twitter link anyway, for what it's worth

https://twitter.com/KellieSocialist/status/1404351467679629315?s=20

TheLonelyOne

Utterly shameful that they would behave in this manner.

Has anyone got a like to the audio please?

fits

TheLonelyOne wrote: »

Utterly shameful that they would behave in this manner.

Has anyone got a like to the audio please?

It was never made available when show ended. They know they are in hot water over it.

RoryMac

I'd have to hear it before I'd pass judgement, doesn't sound good from the mother's side of the story

KildareP

Didn't hear it but would like to before judging anything.

They are deleting tweets and replies on the main FM104 account without making any mention and one of the presenters in question has made their twitter account private.

Seems like they're going to ground which is not a good look either way.

Edit: Statement on website:
https://www.fm104.ie/news/fm104-news/statement-fm104-issues-statement-on-kids-in-the-car/

TheLonelyOne

The question is how far is too far?

Is this two grown men slagging off a child (which is never acceptable) or could it be seen as a form of bullying?

I would also think if the audio has not been made available, it would be seen as a sign of incompetence on the station's part.

volchitsa

TheLonelyOne wrote: »

The question is how far is too far?

Is this two grown men slagging off a child or could it be seen as a form of bullying?

It’s two grown men bullying a child, and one with a slight disability as well.

It’s unbelievable

doc22

ah, it probably wasn't that bad and more a case of forced fake laughter and banter persona of hosts in the morning going to far.Funny before social media this would have passed unnoticed.

Kaybaykwah

doc22 wrote: »

ah, it probably wasn't that bad and more a case of forced fake laughter and banter persona of hosts in the morning going to far.Funny before social media this would have passed unnoticed.

Plenty of stuff was acceptable a while back that isn’t anymore. Two grown men, that if they acted like bullies in school toward a 4 year old is pretty unpalatable.
I'd like to hear the audio evidence to make sure.

Padre_Pio

volchitsa wrote: »

It’s two grown men bullying a child, and one with a slight disability as well.

It’s unbelievable

doc22 wrote: »

ah, it probably wasn't that bad and more a case of forced fake laughter and banter persona of hosts in the morning going to far.Funny before social media this would have passed unnoticed.

It's not even worth speculating without the audio.

These things are usually a lot of nothingness, so I won't be getting too worked up.

Padre_Pio

Padre_Pio wrote: »

It's not even worth speculating without the audio.

Well, not worth speculating, no. But a statement has been made, and it's not sufficient for the station just to delete/ omit to broadcast the material.

I have no idea who is right or wrong. The station needs to respond to this, comprehensively.

They’re admitting they made a “mistake”

https://www.fm104.ie/news/fm104-news/statement-fm104-issues-statement-on-kids-in-the-car/

While I’ve never listen to that show it appears it’s a generally lighthearted banter type slot where they interact with young people - I’d doubt any malice was intended on behalf of the presenters but obviously one has to be Uber careful these days as to what constitutes “humour”- parents also have a responsibility letting their 4 year old contribute to a show that may have had a history of lampooning or jesting the callers messages

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

They’re admitting they made a “mistake”

https://www.fm104.ie/news/fm104-news/statement-fm104-issues-statement-on-kids-in-the-car/

While I’ve never listen to that show it appears it’s a generally lighthearted banter type slot where they interact with young people - I’d doubt any malice was intended on behalf of the presenters but obviously one has to be Uber careful these days as to what constitutes “humour”- parents also have a responsibility letting their 4 year old contribute to a show that may have had a history of lampooning or jesting the callers messages

Yeah I have to be honest, I am getting the impression that there's a bit of "this show is funny because the jokes are funny, but don't make jokes about me, because that's not funny".

Faugheen

I know people are saying we shouldn't speculate etc.

However if they thought they did nothing wrong, they wouldn't hold back the audio. It's clear something was said that crossed the line.

Special needs or no special needs, the idea of two grown adults mocking a four year old child's voice isn't something that sits well with me anyway.

Padre_Pio

Padre_Pio wrote: »

It's not even worth speculating without the audio.

Is well worth speculating seeing as it must be bad enough they’re hiding it.

In this day and age how much of an idiot do you have to be to go down that route though? Did they think nobody would mind? People are offended by far less these days.

frozenfrozen

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Is well worth speculating seeing as it must be bad enough they’re hiding it.

In this day and age how much of an idiot do you have to be to go down that route though? Did they think nobody would mind? People are offended by far less these days.

there's a difference between bad enough to hide it and stopping causing any further harm

frozenfrozen

frozenfrozen wrote: »

there's a difference between bad enough to hide it and stopping causing any further harm

And it’s a fairly good bet which one they care about.

TheLonelyOne

Deleted User wrote: »

They’re admitting they made a “mistake”

https://www.fm104.ie/news/fm104-news/statement-fm104-issues-statement-on-kids-in-the-car/

While I’ve never listen to that show it appears it’s a generally lighthearted banter type slot where they interact with young people - I’d doubt any malice was intended on behalf of the presenters but obviously one has to be Uber careful these days as to what constitutes “humour”- parents also have a responsibility letting their 4 year old contribute to a show that may have had a history of lampooning or jesting the callers messages

So now parents need to monitor the innocence of their kids when calling a radio station for fear of presenters slaying them?

TheLonelyOne

TheLonelyOne wrote: »

So now parents need to monitor the innocence of their kids when calling a radio station for fear of presenters slaying them?

Exagerate and twist my words as you wish - your post reminds me of “outraged from Tunbridge Wells”

TheLonelyOne

TheLonelyOne wrote: »

So now parents need to monitor the innocence of their kids when calling a radio station for fear of presenters slaying them?

There's a theory in political science which refers to the 'falling piano'. What it means is that any minority that is especially afraid of being pilloried or mocked (symbolised by a piano dangling over their heads, hence the name) is intrinsically disrespected, and they tend to shy away from any kind of public exposure. It's a pretty regressive situation for everyone.

You ask a very good question. Why should any parent take special care, if their child has a disability, against grown men lampooning them? Why should these children not be part of the good humour that (I assume) was afforded to eveyone else?

I've seen the FM104 statement. More information is needed. Parent probably doesn't want this re-broadcast, so it's probably one for the B.A.I. to determine.

Neg10

Given the personalities involved, it’s not a huge shock they’d sink to this low level. Didn’t one of the pair try to pull off another presenters hair at an awards ceremony a few years back?

“Banter” is alive and well

archfi

Neg10 wrote: »

Given the personalities involved, it’s not a huge shock they’d sink to this low level. Didn’t one of the pair try to pull off another presenters hair at an awards ceremony a few years back?

“Banter” is alive and well

I wondered who that was, Niall Boylan (the injured party) made a public post about it but didn't name the goon.
Still don't know which one it was!

The One Doctor

Radio DJs are not known for their intelligence or discrimination.

Speak Now

The One Doctor wrote: »

Radio DJs are not known for their intelligence or discrimination.

In the past a radio DJ was able to keep a show going solo. It's seems to be all double acts now (sometimes a trio) who spend all their talking time with the bantz and laughing at each others "jokes".

joe40

Speak Now wrote: »

In the past a radio DJ was able to keep a show going solo. It's seems to be all double acts now (sometimes a trio) who spend all their talking time with the bantz and laughing at each others "jokes".

Off topic but I remember Larry Gogan talking about starting out as a young DJ where he would have to submit transcripts of his show in advance. Some changes in radio.

Kellie Sweeney -+activist and former people before profit candidate posted this earlier - her tweet bellow may point more to where the truth lies in this story


https://twitter.com/KellieSocialist/status/1404368444066340868?s=20

They rang to apologize....but not really because apparently they didn't consciously or unconsciously mock my child it was the what's app audio they were referring too. I guess people can decide for themselves when they listen back. I know how those comments made me feel.

frozenfrozen

Ah is that dollar signs or euro signs above her head now

frozenfrozen

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Ah is that dollar signs or euro signs above her head now

Because of?

Have you got more information or have you just decided that now based on who she is?

TheLonelyOne

Even to firstly attempt to apologize via WhatsApp is pathetic.

Originally Posted by frozenfrozen
Ah is that dollar signs or euro signs above her head now

Such a narrow minded comment to make. :mad:
I am sure she is more concerned about her child's welfare than any financial compensation.

bfa1509

So if he didn't have special needs, it would then have been ok for them to pull the piss out of a 4 year old? I don't really get it.

swampy353

TheLonelyOne wrote: »

Even to firstly attempt to apologize via WhatsApp is pathetic.

Originally Posted by frozenfrozen
Ah is that dollar signs or euro signs above her head now

Such a narrow minded comment to make. :mad:
I am sure she is more concerned about her child's welfare than any financial compensation.

They didn't apologise over WhatsApp. They rang her to apologise and basically said that they were taking the piss out of WhatsApp not out of the child.

It's amazing in 30 odd posts there is not a single person who heard it go out live. Says plenty about the show and the station

kippy

swampy353 wrote: »

They didn't apologise over WhatsApp. They rang her to apologise and basically said that they were taking the piss out of WhatsApp not out of the child.

It's amazing in 30 odd posts there is not a single person who heard it go out live. Says plenty about the show and the station

Says more about the people commenting on it tbh(including myself).

turbocab

swampy353 wrote: »

They didn't apologise over WhatsApp. They rang her to apologise and basically said that they were taking the piss out of WhatsApp not out of the child.

It's amazing in 30 odd posts there is not a single person who heard it go out live. Says plenty about the show and the station

trying to shock,but your right who is listening anyway,certainly not the youth or 20 somethings they have well migrated to all the other media platforms on there smartphones.

TheLonelyOne

swampy353 wrote: »

They didn't apologise over WhatsApp. They rang her to apologise and basically said that they were taking the piss out of WhatsApp not out of the child.

It's amazing in 30 odd posts there is not a single person who heard it go out live. Says plenty about the show and the station

If you read the tweet you will see that they did in fact apologise via WhatsApp, then called her.

As low as a snakes belly.

Faugheen

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Ah is that dollar signs or euro signs above her head now

Well done. You became that person.

ford fiesta

I thought caller segments like this are pre-recorded during the songs / news / ad breaks? If so, would it not be screened by show producers first?

radiotrickster

ford fiesta wrote: »

I thought caller segments like this are pre-recorded during the songs / news / ad breaks? If so, would it not be screened by show producers first?

The producer might be off this week? Otherwise, it's definitely bad form from the producer as well.

But they say in the tweets and statement that it's a voice message from WhatsApp so they might have just played it live on-air rather than pre-recording.

Bad taste, either way. Not surprised though. I've heard a lot of stuff I haven't liked go out on that show over the years. Any time I've listened it's been like a reminder for why I don't.

ford fiesta

ford fiesta wrote: »

I thought caller segments like this are pre-recorded during the songs / news / ad breaks? If so, would it not be screened by show producers first?

Absolutely. I won a comp with a station under the same owners, and my voice message and call was played at least 5 mins later on air. Surely someone can’t give the ok to just play a WhatsApp straight away - anyone could send in anything.

Whoever let it go to air will be in as much hot water at the station. They seem to be in damage limitation mode, the audio mustn’t be great if it’s gone. Surprisingly no playbacks of it circulating social media.

plodder

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Ah is that dollar signs or euro signs above her head now

I doubt that. It's not the kind of incident that would give rise to $$ or €€ imo.

Have to say, if I had to guess which station this happened on, I'd have said FM104 without hesitation.

All the same, it's probably better that we don't go down this rabbit-hole of legal speculation. Most of us aren't qualified to speculate.

Let's try keep it on topic, and offer our reactions to the story. Thanks (Mod)

jimmycrackcorm

This popped up on my Twitter feed retailer but so far I haven't come across anyone online WWII had actually heard the subject call in question.

Jayesdiem

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Absolutely. I won a comp with a station under the same owners, and my voice message and call was played at least 5 mins later on air. Surely someone can’t give the ok to just play a WhatsApp straight away - anyone could send in anything.

Whoever let it go to air will be in as much hot water at the station. They seem to be in damage limitation mode, the audio mustn’t be great if it’s gone. Surprisingly no playbacks of it circulating social media.

I wouldn’t necessarily agree with this. With nobody having heard the audio, most people seem to have decided it’s not great which creates this almost irrefutable perception that it isn’t. Playing it to disprove that notion will just land the station in hotter water as they’ll look defensive. Better to apologise and quickly move on as they seem to have done. The outrage here is ridiculous. The mother is p1ssed off and nobody knows if this is justified or not. Despite that, everybody else seems to have made up their mind on her behalf. For those who have, kindly turn down jury duty if you are ever called upon.

Count Hairyfoot

Like everyone else I didn't hear it. You couldn't pay me to listen to FM104 or 98FM and one of the great things of living outside of Dublin is they don't reach this far. But, and this is all guesswork as I've never heard the show, Is this a long running segment? Do they generally have some, and I hate to even type the word, bants, with the kids who would call in - some gentle piss taking so they can fit in with the, again I'm guessing, wacky DJ pair - because it's all hilarious and throw away.

If so, the onus is one the parent not to let the kid call in if they think there's going to be a problem. How is anyone involved with the show, reasonably, supposed to know that this kid is different from the hundreds of others they've probably had on? They apologized - case closed and everyone should move on. If you're genuinely offended by what happened - listen to another show.

3DataModem

No more detailed statement will be made unless someone shows up with a recording. So for the moment the statements will be vague and the presenters will go to ground in the hopes nobody will pop up with the audio itself.

doc22

Reminds me of Johnathon Ross situation when hardly anyone complained at first but certain people wanted to hear it to get outraged/complain

hotmail.com

Maybe the station needs to be closed down.

blackvalley

Until I actually hear it and be "absolutely outraged" by it ill just have to put up with being "absolutely outraged" that that they have deleted it . :rolleyes:

hotmail.com

hotmail.com wrote: »

Maybe the station needs to be closed down.

Maybe! Cos, evidently, nobody listens to it.

TheLonelyOne

Count Hairyfoot wrote: »

the onus is one the parent not to let the kid call in if they think there's going to be a problem. How is anyone involved with the show, reasonably, supposed to know that this kid is different from the hundreds of others they've probably had on?

So now parent's need to police the innocence of their children. What type of adult must it take to blatantly mock a 4 year old child.