NSW: Brennan given glowing reference

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-1999
NSW: Brennan given glowing reference

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - Radio 2UE program director John Brennan was given a glowing reference
at today's cash-for-comment inquiry while other members of the management team came under
fire.

Counsel assisting the Australian Broadcasting Authority Julian Burnside, QC, criticised
the station for failing to monitor the radio code of conduct.

During his final submission to the inquiry, Mr Burnside told the three-member panel
that station chairman John Conde had failed to effectively supervise industry codes of
practice.

He said Mr Conde had taken a minimal role in the supervision of industry regulations.

"2UE failed to implement any policy to ensure compliance with the codes or to detect
any breaches affecting on air behaviour," Mr Burnside said.

He said it was true that Mr Conde had appointed Mr Brennan to monitor compliance of
the code and this role clashed with Mr Brennan's "genial and trusting good nature".

He said this wasn't a criticism of Mr Brennan, who gave evidence.

His honesty in the course of cross examination was painful to see, he said.

He revealed the plain fact of what happened at 2UE, that nothing effective was being
done to monitor compliance of the code, Mr Burnside said.

Mr Burnside also called for the total disclosure of personal endorsements.

He said the communications law centre had summed up a core issue of the inquiry, that
all listeners were entitled to know by whom they were being persuaded.

"There's always a possibility of subconscious influence caused by the gravitational
pull of large amounts of money," he said.

AAP jo/bd/sb/it

KEYWORD: DEALS (CARRIED EARLIER)

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