RadioLIVE has pulled all adverts from one of its talkback shows after more companies joined a boycott.
Vodafone, Telecom and Briscoes have followed at least five others in protest at offensive comments made by hosts Willie Jackson and John Tamihere about the Roast Busters case.
The broadcasters were allowed on air today. They weren't begging forgiveness, but have apologised if anyone took offence at an interview about the Roast Busters case.
They asked one caller about her own behaviour and when she lost her virginity.
"I still am flummoxed somewhat when people take a small phraseology out of a three-hour talkback show and want to nail us to the cross over it," Mr Tamihere said on air.
Giovanni Tiso won't go as far as nailing them, but he did contact 30 advertisers asking if they would continue supporting the show.
"I thought the one on the Wednesday was not really an apology. It was the standard 'we apologise if someone was offended', which really puts it on you," Mr Tiso says.
At least eight companies agreed and when they pulled their support, RadioLIVE's owner, MediaWorks, stepped in.
"Our clients are extremely important to us, and we respect their opinions. We have decided to run Willie and JT's programme without advertising for today and all of the following week," the company said in a statement.
MediaWorks is also keeping a closer eye on its radio hosts.
"In response to the strong emotional feeling around the situation, RadioLIVE has placed all non-news coverage under extra editorial scrutiny," they said.
RadioLIVE and 3 News are both arms of MediaWorks and yet when 3 News asked for comment on exactly what that scrutiny will involve, how much this is costing the company and whether Mr Jackson and Mr Tamihere will keep their jobs, no one from MediaWorks was prepared to be interviewed.
3 News
source: newshub archive
