Alan Jones breached rules in Jacinda Ardern 'sock down her throat' broadcast

The media watchdog has found that outgoing talkback radio host Alan Jones breached multiple media rules for his comments about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and inaccurate claims about climate change in a broadcast last year.

Mr Jones issued an on-air correction on Thursday morning after an investigation by the Australian Media and Communications Authority found the 2GB presenter was in breach of broadcasting rules for assertions he made about climate change in the same broadcast where he said Prime Minister Scott Morrison should "shove a sock" down the throat of Ms Ardern and get "tough with a few backhanders".

Alan Jones announced his retirement last week.Credit: James Brickwood

The ACMA said it received more than 125 complaints relating to the broadcast which aired last August.

Mr Jones' comments, which ultimately cost his show up to 50 per cent of its revenue, were made following Ms Ardern's warning at a Pacific Island Forum in Tuvalu that Australia would need to answer to the Pacific on climate change. The broadcaster, who announced his retirement from radio last week, made an on-air apology on the same day as the broadcast and an on-air clarification the following day. He also provided a written apology to Ms Ardern, and 2GB owner Nine told the ACMA it had counselled Mr Jones. Nine is also the owner of this masthead.

But despite those efforts brands such as retailers Coles and Bing Lee abandoned his top-rating show, which usually makes about $12 million a year. Nine Radio, formerly known as Macquarie Media, conducted a review of Mr Jones’ show and other radio programs on 2GB and Brisbane’s 4BC. Industry sources said the revenue never recovered.

“The repeated use of violent metaphors by Mr Jones and his apparent encouragement of aggressive silencing of Ms Ardern was highly offensive and did not meet contemporary community expectations,” ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said.

“This was evident in the public display of outrage from the community, actions by advertisers and actions by then chairman of Macquarie Media who publicly stated any recurrence of this type of comment would result in the termination of Mr Jones’ contract."

Ms O'Loughlin said that given Mr Jones' imminent retirement, the ACMA would not take any action regarding breach of decency. Jones surprised listeners by announcing he would step down for health reasons after a 35-year record-breaking career that has included 226 consecutive ratings wins. His last show is on May 29.

AMCA said Mr Jones breached standards of decency and factual accuracy. But it also ruled he did not breach rules related to inciting violence. There was also no breach of inciting hatred, serious contempt or ridicule on the basis of gender, nationality or race.

The regulator said other assertions made on air by Mr Jones relating to climate change were incorrect. Mr Jones incorrectly said that biomass was a fossil fuel and that he had presented figures relating to Australia and New Zealand's percentage of solar and wind energy use to be incorrect.

“The factual error and inconsistent information were used to incorrectly portray that Australia generates more of its energy from renewables than New Zealand," she said.

Nine declined to comment.