‘Very concerned’: Fears controversial shock jock Alan Jones given too many chances

Commentators are again calling for Alan Jones to get the sack over his controversial views, saying enough is enough.

Alan Jones has committed enough “media atrocities” to be sacked and not given “yet another last chance”, according to the country’s top commentators.

The calls come after big name advertisers have turned their backs on the controversial shock jock in droves, amid widespread condemnation over his “appalling” comments about New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern.

The controversy began last Thursday, when the 2GB host attacked Ms Ardern on-air after she criticised Australia’s climate change policies.

The 78-year-old unleashed an extraordinary spray, labelling the respected leader a “complete clown”.

“She’s a clown, Jacinda Ardern; a complete clown,’’ Jones said. “I just wonder whether Scott Morrison is going to be fully briefed to shove a sock down her throat.’’

Now media commentators across the country are saying enough is enough and it’s time for Jones to finally go.

“Australia’s most offensive journalist has committed more media atrocities than any other working journalist over the past 30 years,” wrote Crikey founder Stephen Mayne.

“He should be sacked not given yet another last chance.”

Commentators say Alan Jones should not be given another last chance. Picture: John Gass/AAP

Mr Jones has apologised over his comments, but they have prompted many members of the public to point out his previous track record of concerning and potentially violent comments about women.

Dr Timothy Sharp, from The Happiness Institute, said as a psychologist who’d spent his life studying human behaviour, he knew people did not change their ways.

He also noted that whenever Mr Jones apologised it was under duress.

“It’s hard to argue he would change his behaviour, which I personally believe is completely inappropriate,” he told news.com.au.

“I don’t think it would be tolerated in any other context. It baffles me in a way because in any other workplace, in any other context, that wouldn’t be tolerated.”

Dr Sharp pointed out how the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club ejected one of its own members from Lord’s after he hurled verbal abuse at Steve Smith in the famed Long Room of the pavilion — and for much milder language.

According to a report by The Cricketer, the unidentified member called Smith a “cheat and a disgrace” as he made his way back to the Australia dressing room.

Dr Sharp said Jones had a responsibility to set a standard of behaviour given his standing and audience.

He also said his comments perpetuated domestic violence.

“People say it’s just words but it’s not,” he said. “We know that sort of violent language that has the potential to incite violence or aggression against women often precedes physical violence.”

Advertisers to pull business so far include Anytime Fitness Australia, Koala mattresses, ME bank and Snooze.

So Alan Jones words “willfully misrepresent him” - rather they reveal him for what he is an uncouth, opportunistic misogynist.

— Paul Bongiorno (@PaulBongiorno) August 15, 2019

TV personality Jan Fran said she thought the fact that Jones had been found guilty of inciting racial hatred in the lead up to the Cronulla riots in 2005 was enough to have him sacked.

“You’d think that would have been the catalyst to get him off air,” she told news.com.au.

“I’m just very concerned, like the rest of people, asking the question, what will it take? If that isn’t enough I’m genuinely not sure what is.”

A court upheld a ruling that Jones incited hatred and vilified Lebanese Muslims in on-air comments made in the lead-up to the Cronulla riots.

Jones and his employer, Harbour Radio, had appealed against a 2009 decision by the New South Wales Administrative Decisions Tribunal.

In its original decision, the tribunal found Jones “incited hatred, serious contempt and severe ridicule of Lebanese Muslims” during on-air comments in April 2005.

He had described them as “vermin” who “rape and pillage a nation that’s taken them in”.

Ms Fran said Australians had known the kind of person Jones was for a while now.

“Every time he says and does something despicable we hop up and down as though it’s the first time it’s ever happened,” she said.

Jones called New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern a ‘complete clown’ for her views on climate change. Picture: Adam Taylor/AFP

Yesterday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg also weighed into the debate, but defended Jones on ABC’s News Break fast.

When host Michael Rowland asked whether it was time for Mr Jones to be taken off the airwaves as a result of his “repeated violent language towards women, particularly women in power”, Mr Frydenberg said: “Those comments were clearly inappropriate … but I do want to acknowledge Alan Jones is also a mainstay of our media.”

Mr Jones has previously sparked outrage by suggesting former prime minister Julia Gillard should be “put into a chaff bag and thrown into the sea’’, and saying her recently-deceased father had “died of shame”.

In 2016, Mark Latham appeared on Mr Jones’ show to criticise anti-violence campaigner Rosie Batty, and in 2017 Mr Jones published a tweet which many interpreted as a joke about the lynching of Sydney mayor Clover Moore.

Later that year, he also warned NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian that her head was “in a noose” over a state government mining policy.

Macquarie Media Chairman Russell Tate said Jones had been advised that he would be fired if a similar incident occurred.