Phat Joe

Yesterday, the Cape Times reported that the New Seven Wonders of Nature campaign’s organisers stood to make millions of dollars from the global voting. But Heart 104.9fm’s Phat Joe felt that the story was too negative, phoned the journalist who wrote it live on-air, and called her “a cockroach that needs to be sprayed with Doom.”

The Cape Times has since asked for an apology from Heart104.9fm.

Phat Joe called Zara Nicholson on her cellphone, with no forewarning she would be live on air, just before 08h00. When dialing her number he said:

When there is a cockroach in your midst, you can just spray them with Doom or you call the cockroach, you call the roach to order, so we’re calling the roach right now.

However, his tune quickly changed tone when she was actually on the line. In fact, he went so far as to congratulated her on the article, saying that people had the right to be informed.

Cape Times executive editor Alide Dasnois said that although shock jocks had plenty of licence, Phat Joe’s “cockroach” comments were unacceptable.

We published the article, which was very carefully researched, so as to inform readers about the money being made from this competition. Phat Joe is welcome to argue with us about it, but to insult our reporter in that way is unacceptable. If he wanted to blame someone for the publication of the article, he should have approached me.

Here is Heart 104.9fm programme director Vernon Adams’ response:

The intention was to probe the headline that created a negative reaction from everyone. He’s [Phat Joe’s] known for being that type of person. He’ll tease. It’s a different style of live media.

[Source: News24]