Prank call to Kate's hospital results in nurse's suicide!!!

[walkonby]

I heard the whole show was now cancelled and a company wide suspension of prank calls.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/world/...ath/index.html

[Shwa Girl]

I heard the whole show was now cancelled and a company wide suspension of prank calls.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/world/...ath/index.html

I heard that they can't do these kinds of pranks in their country, and they knew this. But international pranks they try to get away with.

[Brandy Hunter]

I don't get why they prank called. There are two outcomes.

1 - they'd get no information and it'd make for boring air-time.
2 - a nurse slips-up information which is obvious that she'll get in trouble. This isn't some ordinary joe they want info on, it's the Princess.


They knew there were only those two options. A 50% chance. Again, I find it disgusting they tricked her, acting as the queen.

[Darth Penguin]

I heard that they can't do these kinds of pranks in their country, and they knew this. But international pranks they try to get away with.

Given this was the radio station who had previous linked a teen to a "lie-detector" and then got her mother to quiz her about her sexual history including a sexual assault...they already have pranked people in Oz.

The stunt saw the teenager strapped to a polygraph machine and asked by her mother whether she was sexually active. The mother volunteered to quiz her daughter despite apparently already knowing she had been assaulted.
"I've already told you the story about this, and don't look at me and smile because it's not funny," said the girl. "Oh OK, I got raped when I was 12 years old."
Sandilands, who presented the show with fellow host Jackie O'Neil, then asked the girl: "Right, and is that the only sexual experience you've had?" The interview ended after O'Neil stepped in and she and Sandilands apologised, saying they had been unaware that the girl had been raped.

[i_forget]

Pranking is just another form of bullying disguised by humour IMO.

we all have different tastes, and need to respect that of others. Most people would have seen it as a joke, but many others would see it as a personal attack because they were the butt of the joke and they would be the ones facing consequences. To her, she was probably humiliated because she was lied to like that and essentially made fun of, and she was the one who answered the phone, so she was the target.

the same thing can be said about off colour and sexist jokes. Many people find them funny and many find them offensive. These DJs should not have been allowed to call up anyone and do that. They should have had more taste and respect. Just because their listeners find them funny does not mean everyone else does.

[Lynn49]

Pranking is just another form of bullying disguised by humour IMO.

we all have different tastes, and need to respect that of others. Most people would have seen it as a joke, but many others would see it as a personal attack because they were the butt of the joke and they would be the ones facing consequences. To her, she was probably humiliated because she was lied to like that and essentially made fun of, and she was the one who answered the phone, so she was the target.

the same thing can be said about off colour and sexist jokes. Many people find them funny and many find them offensive. These DJs should not have been allowed to call up anyone and do that. They should have had more taste and respect. Just because their listeners find them funny does not mean everyone else does.

Couldn't agree more.
All lowest forms of humor for bottom-feeders! But if it sells airtime and those people keep watching crap like that boo-boo kid, innocent people will still be targets of that "humor".
And to clarify....I believe that child is an innocent victim of her Mother's need to have their 15 minutes of fame. Let's hope it all works out for her, but I have my doubts....That child, as obnoxious as she is, is playing off her Mother's attention as well as everyone else who panders to her behavior...I hate to see her at 15 years old. If it takes that long to see the results of her abuse (physical...weight, and emotional).

[Brandy Hunter]

*nevermind, read up

[itsjustmebub]

without reading all 5 pages of comments i will say my stand on the issue is this

it was a tacky prank. radio stations everywhere do tacky pranks. it's gross... and something does need to be done bc some shows are starting to sound like jerry springer.

BUT it is not the Djs fault that she took her own life - that is 100% on her

it's horrible and tragic and they will have to live with the thought that they had any part in it forever. that is bad enough. but for the media to blame them? that's not right either. it's never someone else's fault if you take your own life. there are ALWAYS other better options.

[vesper]

I LOVE ballsy opinions. Very bold, very true. 10 Yahoo's for you!

without reading all 5 pages of comments i will say my stand on the issue is this

it was a tacky prank. radio stations everywhere do tacky pranks. it's gross... and something does need to be done bc some shows are starting to sound like jerry springer.

BUT it is not the Djs fault that she took her own life - that is 100% on her

it's horrible and tragic and they will have to live with the though that they had any part in it forever. that is bad enough. but for the media to blame them? that's not right either. it's never someone else's fault if you take your own life. there are ALWAYS other better options.

[erin9mmm]

People don't seem to think ahead anymore to the consequences to their actions, not just with pranks but posts on-line, etc....
No it wasn't the D.J's fault that she took her life but they never stopped to think what affect it may have on her career.
Things like this make me think of an old cartoon that used to be played on Sesame Street in the 70's. A little girls was preparing to pull a prank of popping a balloon and scaring someone. She then thought of what may happen if she did that and then decided not to. I think more people need to watch that cartoon.

...found it

[Stifler]

I wonder if this story would have the same traction if it wasn't involving Katie and her pregnancy and just a regular citizen? Prob not...

[SharonMe]

That cartoon was perfect for this story.
I think the media has to by now realize when they get too close to the Royals, there is a possibility of something tragic happening. I don't know why that is but it may be because of the voracious appetite there is for any news about them.
I personally hope that they are allowed some privacy. Most people would crack and crumble under that kind of scrutiny. I guess that is was happened to the nurse.

[erin9mmm]

I wonder if this story would have the same traction if it wasn't involving Katie and her pregnancy and just a regular citizen? Prob not...

Well there was that college student who committed suicide after his roommate thought it would be funny to post videos of him..... Rutgers Trial: Dharun Ravi Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail - ABC News

...and actually with these internet pranks you hear more and more tragic stories involving regular citizens.

[Stifler]

^ Unfortunately, it's only going to get worse as technology advances!!

[itsjustmebub]

I LOVE ballsy opinions. Very bold, very true. 10 Yahoo's for you!

i dont know that it was ballsy so much as just honest.
plus as much as people want to "blame" the DJs who knows how involved or awful the hospital was? No one except them and her.

I've lived with suicidal before - someone can try to blame another person... but in the end if they take their life it's their decision.