Australian radio station has donated $5,50,000 to Jacintha Saldanha’s family
TNN
London, 13 September 2014: The Australian radio station which aired a prank on an India-born (Shirva, Udupi Distirct) nurse by its DJs involving the Duchess of Cambridge has donated $5,50,000 to her family to help them rebuild their lives.
Southern Cross Austereo said on Friday that it was donating the money to a trust fund for Jacintha’s family.
The company said, "Southern Cross Austereo, its directors, management and staff were saddened by and deeply sorry about the tragic death of Ms Jacintha Saldanha on December 8, 2012. Today, we again publicly convey our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Ms Saldanha’s family for their loss".
"Southern Cross Austereo has made a donation of £2,89,000 (AUD$5,00,000) to a trust fund for the benefit of Ms Saldanha’s family. We do not assume, of course, that this donation or any amount of money could relieve the feelings of loss felt by Ms Saldanha’s family but it is our hope that it may help them in the future".
"The production of radio programs, like television programs, is a collaborative process. Radio announcers are an important part of the process but they are not the final decision makers. There is no fair or reasonable basis on which blame can be apportioned to any individual, including the presenters of the program. Southern Cross Austereo has always accepted full responsibility for the making of the call and its broadcast".
The company added, "as acknowledged by the Coroner, Southern Cross Austereo has fully co-operated with the Coronial Inquest. We also note that the Coroner has said, "There is no causation as a matter of law between the hoax call and any subsequent voluntary action by Ms Saldanha".
One of the Australian radio DJs Melanie Greig on Friday publicly apologized to the family of Jacintha Saldanha.
Greig had made the fateful royal prank call posing as the Queen to get information on Kate Middleton’s morning sickness when pregnant with Prince George.
Australian DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian Duchess Kate Middleton
Saldanha answered the call and felt ashamed.
Greig at the inquest tearfully said, "I’m truly sorry, I have wanted to say that for so long".
Ben (Jacintha’s Husband), Junal, Lisha (Jacintha’s children) attended the hearing.