Mr. John Purcell:

We have a fairly robust non courts-based complaints system operating through our regulator. It is useful. The complaint has to be logged within 30 days. A response has to be given within 21 working days. We find that deals with a lot of the complaints. It has teeth because the regulator applies it. I do not have figures, but my feeling is that litigation is actually quite low, but the threat of litigation is not absent. I noted, in relation to the defamation Act there is talk of a linkage between whether people availed of the other complaints mechanisms. We would like to see that included with regard to radio.

On the overall environment of complaints, we have a concern about the volume, nature and weaponisation of complaints procedures. We feel we have only seen the tip of the iceberg to date, but it is not something about which we can be complacent. I think people who operate complaints decisions need to be mindful of the potential of that.