Australia’s communications regulator has found that four Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) radio licences breached standards of decency after airing sexist comments by former presenter Marty Sheargold about the Matildas.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said in its ruling this week that broadcasts on Triple M Sydney, Triple M Brisbane, Gold Coast FM and Maryborough Broadcasting Company included remarks that “demonstrated a level of contempt and disdain for women’s sport, and more generally of women.” The regulator said the offensive themes were exacerbated when the host referred to his genitalia in a further degrading comment about women’s sport.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the language exceeded acceptable standards of decency and that a reasonable listener would have found the remarks offensive. "Sexist comments like this don’t belong in Australian broadcasting," she said, adding that even if the statements were intended as humour they crossed the line.
The comments were made on The Marty Sheargold Show hours after the Matildas lost 2-1 to the United States in the SheBelieves Cup. In the on-air exchange, Sheargold likened the team’s dynamics to those of "Year 10 girls" and told listeners, "you can stick it up your a***." He later said, in reference to Australia hosting the women’s Asian Cup, "I'd rather hammer a nail through the head of my p***s than watch that. Got any men's sport?" The program co-host Troy Ellis had introduced the topic.
Following public backlash in February, SCA announced it had mutually agreed to part ways with Sheargold and cancelled the show. SCA chief content officer Dave Cameron said at the time the broadcaster took its responsibilities seriously and that the network would reflect on the episode and support staff.
Sheargold issued an apology on his exit, stating he understood the gravity of his comments and apologised to the Matildas, the broader organisation and his immediate team for the situation they found themselves in.
In its decision, ACMA noted SCA’s cancellation of the show and its separation from Sheargold but said that did not remove broadcasters’ ongoing regulatory obligations. The regulator said it is considering enforcement action against the licensees for breaching the broadcasting code of practice.
The ruling is one of several recent regulatory actions scrutinising on-air content and has prompted calls from industry figures and advocacy groups for stronger adherence to decency standards in programming. SCA has said a new Drive show will be announced in due course and acknowledged Sheargold’s contribution over four years.
The investigation and subsequent finding bring renewed attention to how broadcasters moderate commentary on women’s sport and the responsibilities of hosts and networks when remarks cause community offence. ACMA’s next steps may include formal enforcement measures, which can range from warnings to fines or other sanctions under the Broadcasting Services Act.