RJs Michael Christian (R) and Mel Greig's prank call was linked to the death of London based Indian-origin nurse Jacintha Saldanha. (Image:AFP)
SYDNEY:
One of the Australian radio presenters, who staged a royal prank call last year that was linked to the suicide of a London nurse has been awarded the title of the "Top Jock" by his employer, radio network Southern Cross Austereo.
Michael Christian was the joint winner in one of the categories of an internal competition that recognises the company's "best in the land". He was awarded a paid trip to Los Angeles as part of his prize.
Christian and his colleague Mel Greig made a prank call to the London hospital treating Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, in December 2012.
London based Indian origin nurse Jacintha Saldanha put the call through to a colleague who, despite the radio presenter's unconvincing accents, disclosed details of the duchess's medical condition.
When the news was out, Saldanha was found hanging dead in her apartment.
"To be seen to be rewarding people so soon after such an event, I think, is just in bad taste," National Communications Minister Stephen Conroy told a Melbourne radio station.
Christian was in his first week at the Sydney station 2DayFM when the prank was staged.
"Regardless of all that's happened in the past few months, I'm still at the top of my game," Christian said in a statement. "It felt good to see my name at the top of the final leader board."
Following a public backlash after the nurse's death, the radio station promised to donate advertising revenue to a fund for Saldanha's family with a minimum contribution of A$500,000.
Michael Christian was the joint winner in one of the categories of an internal competition that recognises the company's "best in the land". He was awarded a paid trip to Los Angeles as part of his prize.
Christian and his colleague Mel Greig made a prank call to the London hospital treating Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, in December 2012.
London based Indian origin nurse Jacintha Saldanha put the call through to a colleague who, despite the radio presenter's unconvincing accents, disclosed details of the duchess's medical condition.
When the news was out, Saldanha was found hanging dead in her apartment.
"To be seen to be rewarding people so soon after such an event, I think, is just in bad taste," National Communications Minister Stephen Conroy told a Melbourne radio station.
Christian was in his first week at the Sydney station 2DayFM when the prank was staged.
"Regardless of all that's happened in the past few months, I'm still at the top of my game," Christian said in a statement. "It felt good to see my name at the top of the final leader board."
Following a public backlash after the nurse's death, the radio station promised to donate advertising revenue to a fund for Saldanha's family with a minimum contribution of A$500,000.
