2Day FM Phone Hoax

[Liverpool]

Ok you're telling the story. Who WAS the prank aimed at?

What's your point there? People don't need to be threatening or malicious to have a negative impact when they impose on another person's life.

I don't think it was "aimed" at anyone in particular but were just seeing how far they could go (maybe even talk to Kate directly? find out some 'world exclusive' information on her condition?) and with "fake corgi barking" and a terrible accent, they were probably surprised they got as far as they did without getting hung-up on.

Well, the nurse answered the phone and passed the call on....I'm tipping she does that many times a day...so what was the "imposing on another person's life" part of this equation?
She got caught out because she didn't pick up the fake accent....even the media the next day didn't publicly name her or shame her...and even Prince Charles thought it was a bit of a laugh.
There was no need of her to commit suicide over this, if that indeed what happened anyways.
It seems because she did commit suicide then people are getting pretty vitriolic on social media and other webpages about these 2 DJs....I wonder who these people will blame if one of them decided to commit suicide now as a result of people blaming them? :don't know

 

[Chiang Mai Tiger]

Gussy was wrong more than once. ;D

Great work Gus, still managing to smear egg all over my face even now.

 

[tigergollywog]

I could do without that mental image thanks. :hihi

I disagree. I formed my opinion on it before the tragic outcome was known. Egotistical, inconsiderate and selfish in the extreme to involve a woman and her unborn baby who were in a very vulnerable, life threatening situation. I didn't find it at all funny from the outset. Then again I know what it's like to lose a much wanted baby, and almost my life, with a tragic miscarriage. Not funny at all to target anyone in such a perilous situation. As a practical joke the situation is far removed from a bit of grease on a friend's head.

Fair enough that you disagree. If her situation was life threatening, I agree. My media-based understanding (which is really no understanding at all), is that she had a little morning sickness and it was princess precaution.

And lets get things straight Rosy, the foreman whose head I greased aint no friend of mine. :hihi

We will have to agree to disagree I reckon

I totally agree with you Tigergollywog.

I KNEW tony abbotts budgy smugglers getting hoiked off would have alarm bells going off in the Livsy-cave :theyareontome

...I wonder who these people will blame if one of them decided to commit suicide now as a result of people blaming them? :don't know

That, Livsy old son, is a very good point. So post modern my head hurts.

 

[Rosy]

Fair enough that you disagree. If her situation was life threatening, I agree. My media-based understanding (which is really no understanding at all), is that she had a little morning sickness and it was princess precaution.

Media reports indicate severe morning sickness, not a little. Describing it as a "princess precaution" is a bit of a long long straw j. It can affect anyone. 6-8 weeks into a pregnancy is a risk period where many miscarriages occur. I'm sure someone who is unwell in the early stages of pregnancy would be better off with as little stress and upset as possible.

This prank might have been slightly amusing had they stopped as the first nurse proceeded to put them through. Yeah conned her with the accents...hilarious stuff. Going further and releasing audio of what should have been confidential information, no matter how it was obtained or who is involved, is pretty ordinary and unethical behaviour.

 

[Rosy]

....I wonder who these people will blame if one of them decided to commit suicide now as a result of people blaming them? :don't know

As long as they're not being pranked and details made public to get a laugh at their expense I'd say it was more a consequence of their own actions backfiring. It's a risk they took, as is the case with any prankster. They did the prank to get attention and laughs and were happy to let the world know about it. I feel very sorry for them, and certainly don't blame them for Jess's life, but it's understandable the situation is still being discussed when didn't work out as planned. If you put yourself out there there's a fair chance you'll cop some flak if it goes awry. Works both ways.

 

[tigersnake]

I can see both sides of this debate. The DJs should get a kick up the arse, but in no way should they be blamed for the suicide. I'm sure they feel so bad they won't need a kick up the arse, but they did the wrong thing. The important thing to remember though, is that they did the wrong thing within a context or subculture that views it as not being the wrong thing. This is not an unusual incident. Kyle Sandilands has done much worse, and lucky for him nobody died. All this takes place within a culture of dumb yobbo-ey schoolyard humour.

I don't mind a bit of schoolyard humour myself occasionally, but it can and has been done with some class and in a way that nobody really gets hurt. Martin and Malloy used to do some funny prank calls back in the day for example.

So 2 things for me, first, they did it within a subculture that approves of this behaviour, 2Day FM and their listeners, or commercial TV and radio in general. Second, it ain't what you do, its the way you do it.

 

[Rosy]

The DJs and 2Day FM (again) should get a kick up the arse, but in no way should they be blamed for the suicide.

Just for clarification, as far as the debate on PRE goes I don't think anybody has blamed anyone involved for the suicide. I haven't noticed that claimed and certainly hope it hasn't been. I haven't really read any comments or opinions elsewhere. There's no doubt they wouldn't be in this awful situation if they didn't do the prank though.

 

[ARCHYBOY]

http://youtu.be/sEZ4YbWSmb0

Maybe not the right spot for it but just to loosen up the conversation a little, one of the better prank calls Ive ever heard....

 

[tigergollywog]

I wonder if anyone would think it was amusing if their ailing grandma got a prank call in the middle of the night from an impersonator inquiring about her health and having her reaction repeated in public to get a few laugh$?

That would depend entirely on who they were impersonating and which nana. If they were impersonating the queen, Im pretty sure one of my nanas would have been stoked. My other nana wouldnt have been happy. If they were impersonating Jo beijeike Peterson, one of my pops would have ripped the phone out of the wall. If it was someone impersonating Arch Bishop Mannix inquiring after dad's mum's health, she would have been chuffed, but mums mum wouldnt have fielded a call from a catholic impersonator in the middle of the night.

 

[Rosy]

phone pranks occur on most radio stations. hang your heads in shame all of you.

I recall the time I had a bit of fun at your expense and, as a result of discussion at the time, temporarily altered a poll you did. Remember your reaction? I do. Still got the scars. You certainly didn't condone that prank. Maybe it's different when you're the victim. :hihi

 

[Baloo]

Great work Gus, still managing to smear egg all over my face even now.

Might be worth you running everything Gus ever told you through Snopes.

 

[skybeau]

Furthermore CT, it is not hard to mount a case that taking YOUR OWN life, as ultimately tragic as it is, is an act of enormous bravery.

Yep, that has become my thoughts on suicide too. A psych explained it to me as you describe a few months ago and I felt there was a lot of truth in what she said.

 

[happytige]

I agree with tigergollywog and Livers.
The DJs are not responsible for the nurse's suicide.

Suicide appears to be associated with pre-existing depression. Who can judge what is the catalyst for such a tragedy? So often parents, family and friends live with guilt for the rest of their lives. I am hoping these 2 young DJs can get on with their lives without constant reference to this sad event. They do not deserve to live with such terrible guilt....we all make mistakes and learn from them.

Social media seems to be turning into a lynch mob with its hasty judgements reinforced by other forms of media, who love to sensationalise this popular abuse.

 

[evo]

or perhaps the queen organised another hit.

Agree.

The Reptilian overclass strikes again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsLFtputJao

 

[Tigers of Old]

Anyone who saw the interview of these two DJs last night would see how remorseful they are for what's happened. I really feel for them. Shocking situation to be in.

 

[tigergollywog]

I agree with tigergollywog and Livers.
The DJs are not responsible for the nurse's suicide.

OMG, what have I done? painted myself into a corner. Must ......... Get ..........out, think fast TGW.

OK, Im backflippin' outta hear. How dare those evil DJ's invade that poor little princesses privacy in the most vulnerable of institutions, a hospital. I think they should be force fed Thalydamide for a year. :theyareontome

 

[Rosy]

phone pranks occur on most radio stations. hang your heads in shame all of you.

I recall the time I had a bit of fun at your expense and, as a result of discussion at the time, temporarily altered a poll you did. Remember your reaction? I do. Still got the scars. You certainly didn't condone that prank. Maybe it's different when you're the victim. :hihi

Adding to that there was also the time the mods, as a joke, substituted the over used word "dud" in the swear filter. Not sure what it changed it to...champion or something. Many on here went off their rockers about censorship, freedom of speech, criticised the mods etc. I wonder if they think 2DayFM's prank was appropriate and acceptable.

 

[Rosy]

I totally agree with you Tigergollywog.

Could be the start of something beautiful. :love

The day after the prank, it was being hailed as one of the great 'royal prank calls' of all time and even Prince Charles made light of it the next day.

Interested to know how Prince Charles made light of it. What did he say and did he indicate he approved or if it was acceptable and/or amusing behaviour?

 

[Rosy]

I agree with tigergollywog and Livers.
The DJs are not responsible for the nurse's suicide.

Reading through the thread it seems that's a common feeling. I don't think too many/any here are holding them responsible.

 

[TigerForce]

Anyone who saw the interview of these two DJs last night would see how remorseful they are for what's happened. I really feel for them. Shocking situation to be in.

Academy Award performance from what I saw.