Australian Government
ACMA
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Level 15, Tower 1, Darling Park
201 Sussex Street
Sydney NSW
PO Box Q500
Queen Victoria Building
NSW 1230
T +61 2 9334 7700
1800 226 667
F +61 2 9334 7799
1 4 October2009
Mr Faruque Ahmed
PO Box 349
ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015
ACMA reference: ACMA2009/2351 Investigation 2298
Dear Mr Ahmed
RE: complaint about overnight with Jim Bail broadcast by 2UE on l2 Aug 2009.
I refer to your complaint to the Australian communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) concerning the above matter.
The ACMA has decided to investigate your complaint against relevant provisions of the Commercial Radio Australia Codes of -practice 2004.
The investigation may take several months, including preparation of a report and internal clearance.
You will be notified of the results of the investigation when it is finalised.
The ACMA usually publishes final investigation reports on its website and includes a summary in its monthly newsletter and Annual Report. A media release may also be issued. You need to be aware that some details of your complaint may receive publicity, regardless of whether a breach is found.
Yours Sincerely
Eileen Haley
Assistant Manager
Investigation Section
Faruque Ahmed
PO Box 349
ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015
Mobile: 041 091 4118
Email: union_faruque@yahoo.com.au
Ms. Eileen Haley
Assistant Manager, Investigation Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Level 15, Tower 1, Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street
T +61 2 9334 7700, 1800 226 667, F +61 2 9334 7799
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Your file reference: ACMA2009/8 C19648
Dear Ms. Haley
I have followed your advice and I have written to the 2UE station manager as required by the law. It appears to me, the station manger is more prejudicial than Jim Ball of that establishment! May be it is the station policy to incite against the Muslims and the Arabs based on obscure, false and fabricated information as well as not to report anything regarding Islam and the Arabs truthfully and accurately!!
Point of Contention # 1
Jim Ball of radio 2UE allowed a male caller to claim, “…it is written in Qur-an that the Jews are the children of apes and pigs …”, this was at approximately 12.37 am, 12th of August 2009 (and I am paraphrasing). Jim also agreed with him. He did so with excitement and he made further comments which added more fuel to the fire, he said, “That’s right, it is written in the Qur-an …” (.and again I am paraphrasing).
I then managed to contact his producer and with some difficulty. I then requested him to pass my message to Jim that:
1. He must let me know in which part of the Qur-an it says, “The Jews are children of apes and pigs”?
2. Should he fail to broadcast the source mentioned above, that he claimed was drawn from the Qur-an, then he must broadcast an apology for inciting hate against Muslims of many ethnic backgrounds, which includes myself.
Jim Ball neither told us in which part of Qur-an it is written, nor did he apologise for his ill-motivated and deliberate misquoting of Qur-an, which I believe is carefully calculated to incite against Muslims. Now his station manger is saying, “ …. I anticipate that there may be more than one interpretation of the content or meaning of those texts … “. Clearly, the station manager is supporting Jim Ball’s original stand with more anti-Islamic zeal. Yet, with extreme arrogance he did not bother to include one iota of evidence in support of his claim!
I therefore demand that the Radio 2UE and Jim Ball must quote the Qur-anic reference in support of their original and current claims. Failure to do so must attract a proper and meaningful deterrent from the ACMA.
The station manger also said, “I do not believe that Mr Ball's comments evoked such a strong reaction as hatred or contempt towards people of Muslim faith.” Again, it is not true.
Jim Ball has been using this trick to improve his ratings and to hurt Muslims and the Arabs for a long time. Upon request I will produce dozens of evidences in support of my claim. One school of thought also suggests that Jim Ball’s illegal and irrational anti-Muslim and anti-Arab style and his ability to get away with murder is one of the reasons behind hiring him by the radio 2UE in the first place. Please remember, the 2UE is the lowest ranking station now. You see Jim Ball’s counter broadcaster Stuart Boking used to work in Jim’s current slot. Poor Stuart used to receive phone calls and at the same time he used to talk on air unlike Jim Ball while he used to work in the 2GB! Jim Ball used to have all of the support team. Surprisingly, when Jim Ball joined at the 2UE, he found the support team unlike poor Stuart Boking who is much more professional, dedicated and decent than Jim Ball!
Obviously, all of the above suggest, Jim Ball is a favored person with an agenda! I am sure a proper inquiry can reveal those agenda items.
Point of Contention # 2
The station manger also said, “However, it certainly was not the aim of the program to incite hatred against Muslims or to generate disrespect towards the Muslim faith”. This statement is a blatant lie. I know for sure, Jim Ball have been inciting against the Muslims and Arabs for a long time. Again, I am willing to provide Jim Ball hate files for a proper examination.
Point of Contention # 3
The station manager wrote, “I cannot see how it could reflect badly on Muslims even if they did ask Bob Hawke to prevent Australian soldiers from wearing uniforms at home”. Really?! Is it true? Are you telling me that this false quote is not sufficient enough to incite against the Arabs and Muslims?
Point of Contention # 4
The 2UE station manager wrote, “If for example you are listening to Mr Ball's program and disagree with any of the sentiments expressed on air, I encourage you to call in to express a differing point of view". It is a proven lie! Jim Ball of 2UE or even formerly 2GB hardly provide air time to any dissenting voice. Manufacturing consent and opinion to incite against the Aboriginals, Arabs, Muslims and migrants is a Jim Ball trade mark. Generally speaking, after his deliberate and often prejudiced presentation, I have not heard many opposing views in Jim’s program.
In my case, Jim used to praise me. Even he said on air that his wife like my view points. However, since I went on to expose many Israeli wrong doings, he turned against me and Jim stopped giving me air time all together. Jim Ball has presented many false and fabricated version of Arab/Palestine conflict. Like a few people, I have attempted to correct him on those issues but he refused to give me any chance. Ironically, he gave me the right to call him “Mother Fucker” instead of debating with me!
Point of Contention # 5
“Unfortunately, time constraints do not allow us to put every caller to air. Radio 2UE endeavours to give as many listeners as possible the opportunity to express their views to a radio audience” of the 2UE manager is far from the truth. In many occasions the 2UE airtime was unused and some good people that I know managed to ring Jim Ball and they politely told him to tone down his rhetoric. Jim did cut them off instead of debating with them seriously. Upon requirement many of them are willing to testify to clear the air in this regard.
Point of Contention # 6
Again “It was never Mr Ball's intention to offend anyone of any race or religion” is a total lie. Jim Ball has been insulting Aboriginals, Arabs, Muslims and migrants with his famous (or infamous?) tricks and techniques. His websites are even worse! A careful examination of his webs will reveal more of his prejudice and bigotry. Even the famous Media Watch of the ABC is sick and tired of the Jim Ball filth!
Point of Contention # 7
“After careful review of the Broadcast, I feel sure that there was not a breach of the Code.” is nothing but a slap in the face of fairness, justice, decency, commonsense and any law I can think of including the, “…a broadcast that constitutes religious vilification within the meaning of the Code.”
Point of Contention # 8
“Radio 2UE endeavours to give as many listeners as possible the opportunity to express their views to a radio audience …” written by the 2UE Station Manager! It is unbelievable and untrue!!
I have been talking to Mr. John Carr of 2UE for a long time. I find him a reasonable person too. Since I made this complaint, Sunday morning, 20th of September 2009 (or may be the day before) I made a few attempts to talk to him. Three of my mobile calls were rejected, three more of my calls were put on hold to cost me money and the seventh one was responded with a laughter by a person (may be known to me) by saying, “Faruque I‘ll call you back if I can”. Eventually no one called me on that night! I am sure John won’t do this to me or many 2UE staffs won’t practice this type of cruelty unless they are instructed or forced by people in the higher echelon of that organisation.
I am sure, a proper Inquiry is the only way to go forward and I request you to do so at your earliest convenience. Should you require any further materials in this regard please feel free to call or write to me at your earliest opportunity.
With thanks.
Sincerely Yours
Faruque Ahmed
Radio2UE Pty Limited
ABN 93 000 796 887
Sydney, Level11170 pacific Highway, Greenwich
New South Wales 2065
PO Box 954, St Leonards
New South Wales 1590 www.2ue.com.au
Telephone 0299309954 Facsimile 02 9930 9479
9 September 2009
Mr Faruque Ahmed
PO Box 349
Alexandria NSW 2A15
Dear Mr. Ahmed,
Radio 2UE Overnight program - 12 August 2009
Thank you for your letter of 20 August 2009.
First of all, allow me to apologise that you were offended by comments made on 2UE's overnight program on 12 August 2009 (the "Broadcast"). Radio 2UE certainly does not set out to offend its listeners or members of the Muslim community.
I have investigated your concerns about the Broadcast. In doing so, I forwarded your correspondence on to Mr Ball, the presenter of 2UE's Overnight program, and discussed your concerns with him. I have also considered section 1.3(e) of the Commercial Radio Codes of Conduct ("Code") in respect to ethnic and religious vilification.
Section 1.3(e) of the Code provides that a licensee must not broadcast a program which is "likely to incite or perpetuate hatred against or vilify any person or group on the basis of age, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual preference, religion or physical or mental disability". This test in the Code sets a high threshold for the likely effect of prohibited behaviour that is that comments must induce a strong reaction of contempt or ridicule against a group of people to be regarded as I breach under section 1.3(e).
With all due respect, I do not believe that Mr Ball's comments evoked such a strong reaction as hatred or contempt towards people of Muslim faith. Mr Ball and his caller very briefly mentioned the Qur-an in the context of a discussion on television. As with any religious texts, I anticipate that there may be more than one interpretation of the content or meaning of those texts. Clearly you disagree with his view. However, it certainly was not the aim of the program to incite hatred against Muslims or to generate disrespect towards the Muslim faith. Furthermore, I cannot see how it could reflect badly on Muslims even if they did ask Bob Hawke to prevent Australian soldiers from wearing uniforms at home. Therefore, I do not believe that listeners would feel such severe emotions as hatred or contempt for Muslims as a result of this broadcast.
As you know, Radio 2UE operates a talkback radio format. I am sorry to hear that your friend did not get on to the program that night. Unfortunately, time constraints do not allow us to put every caller to air. Radio 2UE endeavours to give as many listeners as possible the opportunity to express their views to a radio audience. If for example you are listening to Mr Ball's program and disagree with any of the sentiments expressed on air, I encourage you to call in to express a differing point of view".
It was never Mr Ball's intention to offend anyone of any race or religion. I do however understand your point of view and the reasons why you wrote to us. The theme of the Broadcast was complex, and of a nature that generates different opinions. While Radio 2UE wishes never to offend any of its listeners, when some complicated topics are discussed, unfortunately, this can happen. lt is my understanding however that there is a significant difference between a broadcast that results in some finding offence and a broadcast that constitutes religious vilification within the meaning of the Code.
After careful review of the Broadcast, I feel sure that there was not a breach of the Code.
Radio 2UE values its listeners and their feedback. On behalf of the station and Mr Ball, I apologise for any offence caused by the Broadcast. Radio 2UE certainly does not set out to offend its listeners or any members of the community.
I hope that the above information addresses your concerns,
In accordance with the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice, I am required to advise you that in the event you are not satisfied with this response you have the right to refer the matter to the Australian Communications & Media Authority.
Yours sincerely
Greg Byrnes
Program Director
Faruque Ahmed
P O Box – 349
Alexandria, NSW – 2015
Mobile: 041 091 4118
Email: union_faruque@yahoo.com.au
Station Manager
Radio 2UE
Level 1, 170 Pacific Highway
Greenwich NSW 2065
Fax - 02 9930 9894
Subject: Jim Ball of your Radio 2UE (formerly a broadcaster on 2GB) Has Been Inciting against many Ethno Religious Communities in and from this Country
Dear Sir/Madam
Jim Ball of your radio 2UE allowed a male caller to claim, “…it is written in Qur-an that the Jews are the children of apes and pigs …”, this was at approximately 12.37 am, 12th of August 2009 (and I am paraphrasing). Jim also agreed with him. He did so with excitement and he made further comments which added more fuel to the fire, he said, “That’s right, it is written in the Qur-an …” (.and again I am paraphrasing).
I then managed to contact his producer and with some difficulty. I then requested him to pass my message to Jim that:
1. He must let me know in which part of the Qur-an it says, “The Jews are children of apes and pigs”?
2. Should he fail to broadcast the source mentioned above, that he claimed was drawn from the Qur-an, then he must broadcast an apology for inciting hate against Muslims of many ethnic backgrounds, which includes myself.
So far I have not heard from Jim Ball or your station.
At about 1.12 a.m. 12th of August 2009, Jim Ball allowed another caller to say, “…. People of the so called religion of peace wrote to the government in 1991 and as a result Bob Hawke and Kim Beazley stopped Australian soldiers wearing uniform in their own country, …. “ (and I am paraphrasing). Jim Ball has used this and many more totally false and fabricated claims and propaganda to incite against many ethnic groups of Islamic origin or background.
However, after the second incident mentioned above, I have requested his producer to pass the message that, whether Jim Ball provides the Qur-anic reference or apology, he must let me know if the latter occurs; so that I can hear that apology myself. His producer took my message. The producer, a person known to me as, ‘Tom’ later rang me, and after a short conversation he said, “Jim is looking for the reference and I will inform you if he broadcasts the reference or apology”.
This producer has my contact details such as my mobile phone number. I have not heard from this producer or anyone from 2UE, as of the date of this letter.
Naturally and as a consequence, many people I know were angry about Jim Ball’s deliberate incitement, prejudice and his bigotry continuum. Many people are also very upset about his point blank refusal to allow a right of reply.
After 3.00 a.m. an Arab Christian, who has a fairly good knowledge about the Bible and the Qur-an rang up the Jim Ball program to clear the air and to clarify the position about the issue Jim Ball had allowed to be aired and on which Jim Ball, himself had made comment on. Alas! After a fiery exchange with the producer, he was refused to put his valid point of view and to be allowed to go on air.
Jim Ball has been manufacturing consent and negative opinion on the subjects of ethnics, migrants, Muslims and Aboriginals. In addition he has been inciting against ethnic groups of Islamic origin based on totally false and fabricated reasons and grounds. He also refuses to provide any right of reply. An example of this denial of the right of reply is described above.
It is important to note that Jim Ball, formerly of 2GB, was forced to forward an apology, that was recently, read out on 2GB’s David Oldfield program. This was read out by David Oldfield on behalf of 2GB’s management in relation to Jim Ball’s earlier comments when he was with that radio station. David made this apology, as described while I was talking to him on air.
I also advise the well known program, Media Watch of ABC exposed Jim Ball’s prejudice and bigotry a number of times. I provide examples of such comments by Media Watch below.
2. Muslim bashing based on totally false and engineered facts
I therefore request of you:
1. To stop Jim Ball and your own radio 2UE from inciting against all ethno religious communities that belongs or are linked to the Islamic religion.
2. To take appropriate steps to stop your own radio 2UE and Jim Ball from inciting against all ethno religious communities which belong to, or are linked with, the Islamic religion on his radio program and on his website(s).
With thanks.
Sincerely yours
Faruque Ahmed
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Australian Government
ACMA
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Level 15, Tower 1, Darling Park
201 Sussex Street
Sydney NSW
PO Box Q500
Queen Victoria Building
NSW 1230
T +61 2 9334 7700
1800 226 667
F +61 2 9334 7799
1 7 August 2009
Mr Faruque Ahmed
PO Box 349
ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015
ACMA file reference: ACMA2009/8
C19648
Dear Mr. Ahmed
Thank you for your letter received by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) on 13 August 2009, regarding your concerns about Overnights with Jim Ball broadcast by 2UE. You mentioned a broadcast on 12 August 2009 in particular.
The ACMA is the Commonwealth body responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, the internet, radio communications and Telecommunications. However, under the co-regulatory regime established by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, broadcasters themselves have primary responsibility for the material they broadcast. As such, complaints must be made first to the broadcaster concerned if the matter complained of is covered by an industry code of practice.
In the present case, the matters you have complained about in relation to the content of the program are covered by the Commercial Radio Australia Codes of Practice 2004 (copy enclosed) and in that respect I refer you to clauses 1 .3(e) and 2.2(a) of the code. (Other clauses of the code may also be relevant; please see below.) Accordingly, your complaint must be first made to 2UE.
I note that you have sent a copy of your letter to the ACMA to 2UE; however, in order to meet the definition of a complaint at clause 5.2 of the code, your complaint should be addressed directly to 2UE. lf you are not satisfied with 2UE's response, or if you do not receive a response from 2UE within 60 days, you may then refer the matter to the ACMA. lf you want the ACMA to investigate your complaint under these circumstances, could you please provide us with a copy of all correspondence between you and 2UE. I enclose a brochure with further information about the broadcasting complaints process and the ACMA's role in it.
Please note that complaints to 2UE must be made by letter or fax and that 2UE is not obliged to respond to complaints made more than 30 days after the date of the broadcast which is the subject of the complaint.
2UE's postal address is as follows:
2UE
Level 1
170 Pacific Highway
Greenwich NSW 2065
Fax - 02 9930 9894
In your letter, you mention your telephone conversations with the program producer. Under clause 5.5 of the code, listeners who telephone a station alleging a breach of the code, and who wish to make a complaint, must be asked to make the complaint in writing. lf this did not happen when you rang, you should mention this in your complaint to 2UE. Please note, however, that commercial radio licensees are not obliged to respond to telephone complaints or pass telephone complaints on to program presenters for attention.
You also mention a caller who rang and was not allowed to speak on air. Commercial radio licensees are not obliged to put all callers to air. However, licensees in presenting current affairs programs must ensure that:
reasonable efforts are made to correct substantial errors of fact at the earliest possible opportunity (clause 2.2(a)) and reasonable efforts are made or reasonable opportunities are given to present significant viewpoints when dealing with controversial issues of public importance, either within the same program or similar programs, while the issue has immediate relevance to the community (clause 2.2(c)).
If you consider that either or both of these requirements were not met, you may include the matter in your complaint to 2UE.
I hope this information is of assistance.
Yours Sincerely
Eileen Haley
Assistant Manager
Investigation Section
Encl:
Commercial Radio Australia Codes of Practice 2004
ACMA brochure: Complaints about television and radio content
Faruque Ahmed
P O Box – 349
Alexandria, NSW – 2015
Mobile: 041 091 4118
Email: union_faruque@yahoo.com.au
Complaints Officer
Australian Media and Communication Authority
Level 15, Tower 1 Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box Q500, Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
Tel: 02 9334 7700, Fax – 02 9334 7799
CC to: Station Manager, Radio 2UE
Subject: Jim Ball of Radio 2UE (formerly a broadcaster on 2GB) Has Been Inciting against Many Ethno Religious Communities of This Country
Dear Sir/Madam
Jim Ball of radio 2UE allowed a male caller to claim, “it is written in Qur-an that the Jews are the children of apes and pigs” at approximately 12.37 am, 12th of August 2009 (and I am paraphrasing). Jim also agreed with him, with excitement as he made further comments which added more fuel to the fire, he said, “That’s right, it is written in the Qur-an …” (.and again I am paraphrasing).
I then managed to contact his producer and with some difficulty. I then requested him to pass my message to Jim that:
1. He must let me know in which part of the Qur-an it says, “The Jews are children of apes and pigs”?
2. Should he fail to broadcast the source mentioned above, that he claimed was drawn from the Qur-an, then he must broadcast an apology for inciting hate against Muslims of many ethnic backgrounds, which includes myself.
So far I have not heard from Jim Ball or 2UE.
At about 1.12 a.m. 12th of August 2009, Jim Ball allowed another caller to say, “…. People of the so called religion of peace wrote to the government in 1991 and as a result Bob Hawke and Kim Beazley stopped Australian soldiers wearing uniform in their own country, …. “ (and I am paraphrasing). Jim Ball has used this and many more totally false and fabricated claims and propaganda to incite against many ethnic groups of Islamic origin or background.
However, after the second incident mentioned above, I have requested his producer to pass the message that, whether Jim Ball provides the Qur-anic reference or apology, he must let me know if the latter occurs; so that I can hear that apology myself. His producer took my message. The producer, a person known to me as, ‘Tom’ later rang me, and after a short conversation he said, “Jim is looking for the reference and I will inform you if he broadcasts the reference or apology”.
This producer has my contact details such as my mobile phone number. I have not heard from this producer or anyone from 2UE, as of the date of this letter.
Naturally and as a consequence many people I know were angry about Jim Ball’s deliberate incitement, prejudice and his bigotry continuum. Many people are also very upset about his point blank refusal to allow a right of reply.
After 3.00 a.m. an Arab Christian, who has a fairly good knowledge about the Bible and the Qur-an rang up the Jim Ball program to clear the air and to clarify the position about the issue Jim Ball had allowed to be aired and on which Jim Ball, himself had made comment on. Alas! After a fiery exchange with the producer, he was refused to put his valid point of view and to be allowed to go on air.
Jim Ball has been manufacturing consent and opinion on the subjects of ethnics, migrants, Muslims and Aboriginals. In addition he has been inciting against ethnic groups of Islamic origin based on totally false and fabricated reasons and grounds. He also refuses to provide any right of reply. An example of this denial of the right of reply is described above.
It is important to note that Jim Ball, formerly of 2GB, was forced to forward an apology, that was recently, read out on 2GB’s David Oldfield program. This was read out by David Oldfield on behalf of 2GB’s management in relation to Jim Ball’s earlier comments when he was with that radio station. David made this apology, as described while I was talking to him on air.
I also advise the well known program, Media Watch of ABC exposed Jim Ball’s prejudice and bigotry a number of times. I provide examples of such comments by Media Watch below.
2. Muslim bashing based on totally false and engineered facts
I therefore request you:
1. To stop Jim Ball and radio 2UE from inciting against all ethno religious communities that belongs or are linked to the Islamic religion.
2. To take appropriate action against radio 2UE and Jim Ball for inciting against all ethno religious communities which belong to or are linked with the Islamic religion on his radio program and on his website(s).
With thanks.
Sincerely yours
Faruque Ahmed
August 12 2009
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