Prank that led to Jacintha Saldanha's death: investors told 'shit happens'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/22/prank-jacintha-saldanha-shit-happens

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The chairman of the media company which owns the radio station responsible for the royal prank phone call has dismissed the controversy by saying “shit happens”.

Southern Cross Media’s Max Moore-Wilton played down the prank by radio station 2Day FM in December 2012. DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian called the hospital pretending to be the Queen and trying to reach the Duchess of Cambridge who was being treated after announcing her pregnancy. Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who put the phone call through, killed herself three days later.

Speaking at a shareholders meeting in Melbourne on Tuesday, Moore-Wilton said: "These incidents were unfortunate, no doubt about that. But in the immortal words of someone whose identity I cannot recall, shit happens."

At the company’s AGM in Melbourne 30% of shareholders voted against the company’s remuneration policy, delivering a first strike against the broadcaster’s executive pay policy meaning if a similar vote occurs next year board members may lose their positions.

Radio revenue and market share fell during the year due to a number of scandals, including the prank call.

Greig, one of the DJs who carried out the prank, has accused Southern Cross of failing to provide a safe working environment. In July it was revealed she was taking the media company to the Fair Work Commission.

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