Content Warning: Today’s newsletter contains discussion of suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

It’s been more than a decade since an Aussie radio prank made global headlines and ended in tragedy.

In December 2012, 2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles in a call to a London hospital. At the time, Princess Catherine was being treated as a patient during her first pregnancy.

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha answered the call and transferred it to her colleague, who inadvertently disclosed confidential medical information. Saldanha died by suicide days later.

Now, Michael Christian is taking legal action against his former employer over claims it failed to support him during the ordeal.

It’s raised questions about duty of care in media workplaces and the culture of ‘shock jock’ radio. Today, I’m unpacking what happened and the latest updates.

In 2012, Australian commercial radio was dominated by "shock jock" culture, practical jokes and elaborate stunts. Prank phone calls were a mainstay of these networks, including Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).

With social media platforms like Facebook increasingly prominent, radio stations were also facing new challenges and pivoting their content approach towards ‘viral’ moments.

This was the backdrop when Michael Christian and his co-host Mel Greig were working on Sydney’s 2DayFM – an SCA station – in December 2012.

On 4 December 2012, Christian and Greig made a prank call to King Edward VII Hospital in London, where Princess Catherine was receiving treatment during her first pregnancy.

The duo impersonated Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II.

Two nurses at the hospital were deceived by the call, leading to private details about Princess Catherine being leaked.

Days later, one of the nurses, Jacintha Saldanha, died by suicide. Saldanha had transferred the call to another nurse on the Duchess's ward, but she didn't personally share patient information with Christian and Greig.

The call wasn't broadcast live but was later aired by Southern Cross Austereo.

The incident made global headlines and sparked a significant backlash against the hosts and the network.

The Royal Family released a statement following the incident:

"Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."

Palace officials indicated the Royal Family did not blame the nurses for their part in the incident.

The reaction in the UK media included significant outrage and criticism focused on a perceived negligence by the radio hosts.

After Saldanha's death, Christian and Greig appeared on Nine's A Current Affair. They said they were "shattered, gutted, and heartbroken." The duo apologised but insisted the decision to air the call was "not up to" them.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found 2Day FM did not obtain the consent of hospital staff to record or broadcast the call, breaching its licence.

In a subsequent lawsuit, the High Court ruled in favour of ACMA.

ACMA had threatened to revoke SCA’s broadcast license, but decided against imposing this penalty at the end of its investigations.

A 2014 coronial inquest heard that Saldanha was left "very upset" by the call and blamed herself. Her husband told the UK inquest that the 46-year-old mother of two didn't have a history of mental ill health before her death.

Michael Christian continued working for SCA until February this year, while Mel Greig left the network shortly after the 2012 incident.

Christian has now launched legal action in the Federal Court, alleging he was pressured into the prank call.

He claims he became a scapegoat for the incident and that Southern Cross Austereo failed to support him during the intense backlash, leading to severe mental health issues and damage to his career.

Christian was made redundant in February, but he argues the termination wasn't genuine because SCA still requires someone to perform his role. His lawyers claim the network breached the Fair Work Act by dismissing him.

According to court documents seen by the Australian Associated Press, Southern Cross Austereo had promised to support hosts through any controversies related to on-air content.

Christian said he believed the network would protect him, but instead it let its presenters take the blame.

In the documents, Christian's lawyers said SCA "did not immediately take public accountability for the incident, but rather allowed Mr Christian and Ms Greig to be left exposed to relentless public vitriol, harassment and abuse, including death threats."

The matter is yet to appear before the court. Christian is expected to seek compensation for economic loss and damages relating to the incident and SCA’s handling of the fallout.

In a statement to TDA, a spokesperson from Southern Cross Austereo said: “As the matter is currently before the courts, and out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.”

Mel Greig said she understands why her former co-host is "choosing to go down this path." She hopes the continued attention on this "tragic incident" will lead to "substantial reforms in the way media produce content and support their staff."

Greig filed similar proceedings in 2013 but agreed to a private settlement with Southern Cross Austereo following mediation talks led by the Fair Work Commission.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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