TWO community radio presenters have been robbed of their broadcasting access after playing an explicit 1980s track on air.
The broadcasting duo of Steve Jankowicz and Haydon Cox was notified via text message their show Jank n the Phatman was cancelled.
It was the 1989 track by No Face titled Hump Music which led to the duo’s dismissal from the station.
The duo hosts the only all-vinyl radio show in the city and as record collectors Steve and Haydon launched the show to share their love of music with others.
Jank n the Phatman was first aired last September from 11pm to 1am before the time-slot was changed to 9pm to 11pm on Sunday nights.
Steve said when the duo first started at the station they asked management about censoring.
“We asked the question and we were told no swearing before 9pm, after that it is free reign, within reason of course,” he said.
“The song was played at the end of our love-themed show for a bit of a laugh, we played a wide selection of songs covering all aspects of love.”
Haydon said the station had a three-strike process before dismissal.
“We have not received any official written warnings during our time at the station so to be instantly booted via text message was just unprofessional and unfair,” he said.
“There have been times when we have played songs far worse, including tracks by NWA and Body Count with no complaints.
“It is never our intention to offend, we just like the music, not the lyrical content.”
Steve said internal issues at the station came to light around nine months ago following the dismissal of long-term presenter Janet Finnis-Hare.
“Janet was the backbone of the station, she took us under her wing and showed us the ropes because noone else would,” he said.
“After we saw how she was treated we wrote to the president and received no response.”
Haydon said the core issue was the lack of communication from the management team.
“There is no communication, which is paramount in management, these guys have played by their rules and created these ongoing issues,” Haydon said.
“It is not about us or our show, it is about sticking up for others and doing what is right.”
Long-serving presenter and former board member Denis O’Carroll said the station had experienced ongoing management issues in the past.
“I have been involved with the station for close to 25 years and these issues between presenters and administration have been going a long time,” he said.
“However, over the last 12 months I have had a gutful.
“At the station there are a few elite people who hold the power and have a stranglehold on us the presenters.”
He said three board members were unaware of the Jank n the Phatman dismissal.
“Once I found out about the boys I contacted one of my friends on the board and it was news to him,” Mr O’Carroll said.
“There were three of them who knew nothing about it.”
Mr O’Carroll hosts a local music program on Tuesday nights playing tracks by artists from throughout the Limestone Coast.
He said Steve and Haydon’s show was unfairly axed.
“I do not believe in censorship,” he said.
“I play tracks with swearing by local artists from 8pm onwards on Tuesday nights, these guys played Hump Music at 11pm on a Sunday night and I believe they had every right to do so.”
A station spokesperson could not be contacted yesterday for comment.
