Tears and anger for Jacintha
The family of hospital nurse, Jacintha Saldanha want her laid to rest in her hometown in India, while Scotland Yard has made contact with NSW Police over the 2DayFM prank scandal. Lifeline: 13 11 14
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THE chairman of Southern Cross Radio has written to the London hospital that received the 2Day FM royal prank phone call to reassure them that ''immediate action'' would be taken over the incident.
Following a crisis meeting on Sunday night, the radio station released a letter that chairman Max Moore-Wilton had written to the chairman of King Edward VII's Hospital, Lord Glenarthur.
Lord Glenarthur had earlier written to the station denouncing the stunt as ''truly appalling'' and that it should ''never be repeated''.
Southern Cross Austereo has not confirmed whether Mel Greig and Michael Christian will keep their jobs.
Mr Moore-Wilton responded in his letter that the station was ''taking immediate action and reviewing the broadcast and processes involved''.
''It is too early to know the full details leading to this tragic event and we are anxious to review the results of an investigation that may be made available to us or made public.''
''We can assure you that we will be fully co-operative with all investigations. We are all saddened by the events of the last few days. They are truly tragic.''
The letter did not reveal whether broadcasters Michael Christian and Mel Greig would keep their jobs.
Earlier, the station management said advertising would remain suspended until Wednesday at the earliest.
Austereo suspended all advertising on 2Day FM on Saturday in response to an advertiser boycott following the suspected suicide of the British nurse - Jacintha Saldanha, 46 - involved in the prank call which sought information about the condition of Prince William's pregnant wife, Kate.
Ad sales revenue was already under pressure, slumping 10 per cent in the three months to the end of September.
NSW Police said London police officers had also contacted them about the call, and they had agreed to help them with their investigation.
By Sunday night, the network was fielding hundreds of objections, ranging from ''you've got blood on your hands'' abuse to questions about prank calls.
Media regulator the Australian Communications and Media Authority confirmed it had received a volume of complaints matching the outcry over Alan Jones' comments on the Prime Minister's father dying of shame and Kyle Sandilands describing a female journalist as a ''fat slag''.
Austereo's spokeswoman, Sandy Kaye, said Christian and Greig had been suspended indefinitely and were receiving counselling.
''The backlash is just ferocious,'' she said. ''Australia seems to be much more balanced. In the UK it's like they're on a witch hunt.
''It's intense and what's incredible to me is it's so much easier for the British media to have us as the target. They haven't once looked at the hospital.''
Meanwhile, arrangements are still being made to return the body of Mrs Saldanha to India. She grew up in Valencia in the south-west.
For help call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 114, or visit beyondblue.org.au
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