Radio host suspended over 'unacceptable' Dreamworld gaffe

A Tasmanian radio host has been taken off the air after making an 'unacceptable' joke about the Dreamworld tragedy.

Image from the station's Facebook page, of presenters Mich and Anna

Image from the station's Facebook page, of presenters Mick and Anna Source: Facebook

A Hobart radio personality has been suspended indefinitely after making an inappropriate comment about the Dreamworld tragedy.

7HOFM presenter Anna Dare made the gaffe during a "secret sound" segment on Thursday morning asking "It's not getting stuck in a conveyor belt at a theme park is it? ... Too soon?"

Her on-air colleague Mick Newell audibly gasped after her comments before Ms Dare said: "That's what it sounds like to me when I first heard it, that's the first thing I thought of, I don't like it, it's just a yucky sound."

Mr Newell then threw to a song.

The chief executive of Grant Broadcasters, Grant Cameron, said the unacceptable comment demonstrated a serious lapse in judgment and did not reflect the values of 7HOfm or its parent company.

"We sincerely apologise to our listeners, the broader community and everyone affected by the Dreamworld tragedy," Mr Cameron told AAP.

"This was a dreadful mistake and the announcer is devastated at such a lapse. As employers, we must also consider her well-being," he said.

He confirmed Dare was taken off the air immediately, has been suspended and will be counselled.

A decision will be made at a later date about when she might return to an on-air role, he said.

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2 min read
Published 27 October 2016 5:58pm
Updated 27 October 2016 9:33pm
Source: AAP, SBS News

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