The Hit Network is broadcasting a mental health focused show next week as part of ACMA's findings into the 'Royal Prank Call'.
The program, Press Pause, will be broadcast during a three hour time slot from 7-10pm to raise awareness of mental health and check-in with the youth of Australia.
As part of ACMA's ruling, the show will be commercial free, with airtime donated to raising awareness for Lifeline, Kids Helpline, Beyond Blue, Headspace, The Reach Foundation, Reachout.com and Batyr.
The radio show will be hosted by mental health ambassadors Jules Lund and Bianca Dye and will target The Hit Network's under 30's audience across 42 stations. It will also contribute to the launch of national Mental Health Month this October.
Celebrities including TV host Osher Gunsberg, models Ashley Hart and Nick Bracks, performers Olly Murs, Troy Sivan and Anja Nissen and journalist Mia Freedman will speak of their experiences with mental health.
“There’s something incredibly liberating hearing your favourite stars admit they struggle at times,” Lund said. “It’s simple yet powerful. I am honoured to bring these messages to our listeners, and ask them to join us for #presspause.”
In addition, experts including Batyr founder Sebastian Robertson, Mental Health Australia’s Chris Wagner and Reach Foundations' CEO Trish Squires will join the conversation along with Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley.
In addition the Hit Network will work with Twitter to encourage listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #presspause. Listeners will also be able to engage using the Shazam app to get interactive contacts for the organisations featured, and be able to reach out for help.
The show is part of a raft of conditions handed down by ACMA in July following its report in April into the 'Royal Prank Call' scandal. The investigation found that the station had breached its licence conditions by recording and broadcasting private conversations. The report was part of an ongoing legal stoush between ACMA and SCA after the station called the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for morning sickness in 2012.
As part of its finding, SCA and ACMA agreed to a set of penalties including an enforceable undertaking requiring personnel to undergo a targeted training program on ethical and legal obligations. It has also agreed to additional licence conditions which will apply for three years, specifying it will not air conversations from someone recorded that could lead to their identity being revealed, unless that person has consented.
ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said the conditions are a “much more constructive way” of ensuring compliance by the station.
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