Since I'm stuck at work with nothing to do I thought I'd get something off my chest. I'm sure you've all heard the ruckus about the Australian DJs who prank called the hospital where Kate Middleton is staying, pretending to be the queen and ended up being given medical details and details about Kate and Williams movements. The nurse who took the call and put it through to the ward (Jacintha Saldanha) has committed suicide and now the press have gone after the DJs like a pack of rabid dogs.

This is really bothering me because, while I think prank calling a hospital is irresponsible, it's also quite obvious to anyone who's heard the footage that they didn't expect to get put through and had no nefarious intent beyond having a bit of a laugh. Their call was really no worse than Radio and TV shows have been doing for 50 odd years. Hell, Rory Bremner once managed to get through to Tony Blair as a prank.

Meanwhile the media played that soundbight of the nurse saying "I'll just put you through" every half an hour for 2 days. I must have heard those 5 words at least 50 times, again and again ad utter nausium. Jacintha Saldanha did make a mistake in putting the call through but, given that she thought she was talking to the Queen of England, it was an entirely understandable one but the media gave her an absolute hammering. It seems to me that the largest part of the blame for her suicide lies pretty squarely with the TV and Radio news channels.

Now, since Jacintha Saldanha's death, the focus of their attention has shifted squarely to the DJs. There's no sign of contrition from the media for their coverage over those couple of days or any acceptance of any blame. To listen to them now you would believe that the two DJs murdered Jacintha in cold blood. So, not satisfied with ending one life, they seem intent on ruining another two.

It bothers me.