A nurse at a London hospital who took a hoax call about the Duchess of Cambridge has been found dead.
Source: BBC

That is what I read early Saturday morning, before I went to bed at around 2 am.

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha who took a prank phone call at Duchess of Cambridge’s hospital is found dead in suspected suicide
Source: Independent

I expected and hoped that people would be up in arms about this, and they were, but it was more the apologetic attitude that some displayed that caught me off guard. Saying that it was just a prank and that they didn’t mean for it to end like this.

Bollox!

I really cringe when I hear someone say, “I didn’t mean for that to happen,” if a prank failed miserably. That you didn’t mean for something to happen is moot. Swallow your pride with a big gulp of accountability, say you’re sorry and take whatever punishment that comes your way.

What is even more sicking are those idiots who try to defend the pranksters by saying, “they didn’t mean for that to happen.” Again, it’s moot to bring that up. It doesn’t matter. Nor is it helpful.

It’s moot!

I personally find that kind of behaviour to be rather juvenile and a bit pathetic. Why is it so difficult for people to be accountable for their own actions?

Almost as if it’s shameful to admit that you fucked up.

But Julie Boyd has a point regarding Australian humour.

One of the things that bemuses people from other countries about Aussies is that our humour is on one hand self-deprecating, but on the other we use humour in terrible ways to cover-up extreme hurt toward other people. ‘Just having a dig’, we hear as we try to laugh off those who protest, then become offended that they ‘just can’t take a joke.’ We need to look more closely at our idea of humour – comedians, over to you.
Source: Julie Boyd

What is even more scary is that this is not the first time this radio station is in trouble. You would think they would learn, that sponsors would learn and even ACMA would strike enough fear in them that they would not make such a mistake again.

Sadly enough, they didn’t. Again they tried to push the limit, because they know they will only get a tiny slap on the wrist for being naughty.

This attitude of “get the story at any cost” has shown itself over time to be very damaging not only for the people who are the victims of press intrusion but for society as a whole. Yet still journalists put themselves on a pedestal crying out about the greater good and the public right to information.
Source: Ohdearism [best write-up regarding this brouhaha]

Which is why the Australian media is riddled with sensationalism. Either shocking or scaring readers, viewers or listeners – instilling them with fear. Knowing they will get away with it. Not just because the consequences aren’t really that impressive, but to file a complaint is an absolute nightmare – I’ve tried.

This is why Australia might end up with a government run media watchdog. As a journalist I know it’s risky to trust the government to have too much control over the press, but it is out of control at the moment. Regulation of of the media is non-existant, making it feel like a no holds barred boxing match. Which ruins it for everyone.

It has been like this for too long. And I can’t really see how it will make it worse than it is now. Which is why I welcome the government run media watchdog, if it ever sees light.

Regardless, something needs to be done – now. How many more lives do the Australian media have to ruin before something is done to stop it?