View source for Alan Jones (talkback host)

{{Short description|Australian right-wing commentator and former talkback host}}
{{Other people|Alan Jones}}
{{Distinguish|Alex Jones}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby biography 
| name           = Alan Jones
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of Australia|AO]]
| image          = Alan Jones cropped.jpg
| caption        = Jones in 2011
| birth_name     = Alan Belford Jones
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1941|04|13|df=yes}}
| birth_place    = [[Oakey, Queensland]], Australia
| occupation     = Radio presenter
| school         = [[Toowoomba Grammar School]]
| university     = [[Kelvin Grove Teachers College]]<br />[[University of Queensland]]<br />[[University of Oxford]]
| coachyears1    = 1983
| coachyears2    = 1984–87
| coachyears3    = 2017
| coachteams1    = [[Manly RUFC|Manly Marlins]]
| coachteams2    = {{nrut|Australia}}
| coachteams3    = [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]]
| module = {{infobox rugby league biography | embed = yes
| coachyearAstart = 1991 | coachyearAend = 93
| coachteamA = [[Balmain Tigers]]
}}
}}
'''Alan Belford Jones''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}} (born 13 April 1941<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-12/alan-jones-retires-from-radio/12237330|title = Alan Jones retires from radio after dominating breakfast ratings for decades|website = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date = 11 May 2020|access-date = 11 May 2020|archive-date = 12 May 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200512114342/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-12/alan-jones-retires-from-radio/12237330|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=http://www.grenfell.org.au/walkoffame/downloads/profile.pdf | year=2007 | title=Walk of Fame Guest Profiles | page=8 | publisher=The Henry Lawson Festival of Arts | location=Grenfell | access-date=19 February 2011 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.grenfell.org.au/walkoffame/downloads/profile.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Jones Boy |first=Chris |last=Masters |work=[[The Age]] |date=20 October 2006 |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/the-jones-boy/2006/10/20/1160851138957.html |access-date=6 March 2007 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=27 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127102512/http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/the-jones-boy/2006/10/20/1160851138957.html |url-status=live }}</ref>) is an Australian former [[Talk radio|talkback host]], coach of the [[Australia national rugby union team]], and [[rugby league]] coach and administrator. He has worked as a school teacher, a speech writer in the office of Prime Minister [[Malcolm Fraser]], and in musical theatre. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the [[University of Queensland]] and completed a one-year teaching diploma at [[Worcester College, Oxford]]. He has received civil and industry awards.

Jones hosted a popular Sydney breakfast radio program on radio station [[2GB]] from 2002 until 2020. Jones advocates conservative views, and the popularity of his radio program has made him a highly paid and influential media personality in Australia. Despite his success, he remains a controversial figure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-01/alan-jones-faces-backlash-over-controversial/4290004|title=Alan Jones faces backlash over controversial comments|access-date=1 March 2014|date=1 October 2012|work=ABC|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307214113/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-01/alan-jones-faces-backlash-over-controversial/4290004|url-status=live}}</ref> His on-air conduct has received adverse findings from Australia's media regulators, and he has frequently been sued for defamation. In May 2020, Jones announced his retirement from his role at 2GB. In November 2021 it was confirmed that his contract with [[Sky News Australia]] would not be renewed.<ref name="Malone-2021">{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Ursula |date=3 November 2021 |title=Alan Jones leaves Sky News after being sacked from prime time program |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-04/alan-jones-leaves-sky-news-contract-not-renewed/100593274 |access-date=3 November 2021 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103231944/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-04/alan-jones-leaves-sky-news-contract-not-renewed/100593274 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since December 2021, Jones has presented ''Alan Jones: Direct to the People'' on [[ADH TV]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inside Australia's Newsmax, the Alan Jones-backed outrage network |date=21 May 2023 |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/inside-australia-s-newsmax-the-alan-jones-backed-outrage-network-20230518-p5d9f3 |publisher=Australian Financial Review}}</ref>

In November 2024, Jones was arrested and charged with twenty-six offences against eight alleged victims between 2001 and 2019, including aggravated indecent assault, assault with an act of indecency, sexually touching another person without consent, and common assault. The youngest alleged was being 17 at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ittimani |first1=Luca |last2=Lyons |first2=Kate |date=2024-11-18 |title=Alan Jones charged with 24 indecent assault and sexual touching offences against eight victims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/nov/18/alan-jones-arrested-alleged-indecent-assaults-ntwnfb |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="ABC News">{{Cite news |date=2024-11-18 |title=Alan Jones charged with additional offences relating to ninth alleged victim |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-19/alan-jones-charged-with-additional-offences-nsw-police/104617680 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Two more indecent assault charges (relating to a ninth alleged victim) were laid in November,<ref name=":2" /> followed by an additional eight charges (relating to a tenth alleged victim) in December.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=McPhee |first=Sarah |date=2024-12-17 |title=Eight new indecent assault charges laid as Alan Jones to face court |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/alan-jones-to-face-court-on-indecent-assault-allegations-20241216-p5kyoa.html |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> On 18 December 2024, Jones pled not guilty to all charges.<ref name=":5" /> On 7 March 2025, Jones was charged with an additional count of indecent assault, relating to an eleventh alleged victim.<ref name=":6" />

== Early life and career ==
Jones was born to farmer and coal miner Charlie Thomas (1906–90) and former school teacher Elizabeth ("Beth", née Belford; 1906–82). He was the middle of three children, with an older brother, Robert Charles, and a younger sister, Colleen, both of whom would become school teachers like their mother and brother.<ref name="Masters-2007" /> Jones was raised on a dairy farm near [[Oakey, Queensland|Oakey]] in south-east Queensland, attending primary school at [[Acland, Queensland|Acland]] State School,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2004/12/03/apn-closing-of-school-shows-neglect-of-bus/|title=Closing of school shows neglect of bush: Jones|date=3 December 2004|work=Toowoomba Chronicle|access-date=30 September 2009|archive-date=6 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113131/http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2004/12/03/apn-closing-of-school-shows-neglect-of-bus/|url-status=live}}</ref> before transferring to [[Toowoomba Grammar School]] as a boarder.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradfield |first=Elly |date=3 November 2016 |title=Queensland town divided over New Acland coal mine expansion |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-03/queensland-town-divided-over-new-acland-coal-mine/7991970 |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref>

After leaving school, Jones trained as a teacher at the [[Kelvin Grove Teachers College]] (now part of the [[Queensland University of Technology]]) in Brisbane. In 1961, he commenced his teaching career at a state primary school, Ironside State School in the inner suburbs of Brisbane.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/the-jones-boy/2006/10/20/1160851138957.html?page=3 |title=The Jones boy – In Depth |work=The Age |access-date=20 October 2012 |location=Melbourne |first=Chris |last=Masters |date=21 October 2006 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110230651/http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/the-jones-boy/2006/10/20/1160851138957.html?page=3 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1963, he obtained a position at [[Brisbane Grammar School]], a private secondary school for boys, where he remained until the end of 1969. Throughout this period he also studied part-time at the [[University of Queensland]] for a Bachelor of Arts degree, which he was awarded in 1967.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-02 |title=Alan Jones AO |url=https://alumni.uq.edu.au/story/1256/alan-jones-ao |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=alumni.uq.edu.au |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208031335/https://alumni.uq.edu.au/story/1256/alan-jones-ao |url-status=live }}</ref> Apart from his teaching duties at Brisbane Grammar, Jones additionally proved to be a highly successful sporting coach in athletics, tennis, and, later, rugby union.<ref name="Masters-2007" />

In 1970, Jones was appointed Senior English Master at [[The King's School, Parramatta]] in Sydney. Again Jones was also heavily involved in coaching a number of sports with considerable success, including progressing to coaching the First XV rugby union side, which he took to the championship in an unbeaten season in 1974. At the end of the first term in 1975, following a meeting with the school's principal, Jones chose to resign from the school.<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Masters|first=Chris|title=Book critics silent about Jones's many scandals|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/chris-masters-book-critics-silent-about-joness-many-scandals/story-e6frg6zo-1111112428833|access-date=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Australian|date=28 October 2006|archive-date=11 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811161412/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/chris-masters-book-critics-silent-about-joness-many-scandals/story-e6frg6zo-1111112428833|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Masters-2002">{{cite news|last=Masters|first=Chris|title=Jonestown|url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/archives/2002a_Monday6May2002.htm|access-date=12 July 2011|newspaper=ABC Four Corners|date=6 May 2002|archive-date=13 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113040629/http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/archives/2002a_Monday6May2002.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It has been reported that reasons for his resignation include his divisiveness and his inappropriate relationships with students.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-11-30 |title=Chris Masters: Book critics silent about Jones's many scandals {{!}} Opinion |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20655098-7583,00.html |access-date=2023-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130051034/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20655098-7583,00.html |archive-date=30 November 2006 }}</ref>

After leaving King's School Jones briefly moved to [[Canberra]] where he made a failed bid to win preselection to stand as a Country Party candidate for federal parliament. He then spent several years as the manager of a small airline in [[Quirindi]] in country New South Wales, where he also coached the local rugby team.<ref name="Masters-2007" /> During this same period, over 1976–77 while in his mid-30s, Jones spent time in England where he completed a one-year diploma in educational studies at [[Worcester College, Oxford]]. While at Oxford Jones won a university [[Blue (university sport)|Blue]] for tennis.<ref name="Webster-1983">{{cite news|last=Webster|first=Jim|title=The Jones boy goes into business to win|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_oVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=1975,4992538|access-date=7 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 January 1983|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816231140/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_oVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=1975,4992538|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1978, Jones returned to Sydney to run for the state parliament as a [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] candidate. After failing to win his seat in the election, Jones worked for some time as a speechwriter for the Liberal [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|New South Wales opposition leader]], [[John Mason (Australian politician)|John Mason]].<ref name=FourCorners /> In 1979, Jones was recruited as a speechwriter for the Liberal [[Prime Minister of Australia]], Malcolm Fraser, so returned to Canberra for the position, remaining there until early 1981. He then moved back to Sydney after being recruited to be executive director of the [[Australian Federation of Employers and Industries|New South Wales Employers' Federation]], where he worked until he began his radio career in 1985.<ref name="Masters-2007" />

In October 1985, Jones was awarded the [[Australian Rostrum|Rostrum Speakers' Award]] as the Communicator of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2gb.com/presenter/bio/alan-jones|title=2GB bio Jones|website=2gb.com|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110230651/http://www.2gb.com/presenter/bio/alan-jones|archive-date=10 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Political aspirations==
In 1974, a parent at The King's School, Parramatta, [[Doug Anthony]], leader of the Country Party (now the [[National Party of Australia]]) in the [[Australian Parliament]], offered Jones a position with the party in Canberra.<ref name="Webster-1983" /> In 1975, Jones sought party preselection as the candidate for the Federal parliamentary seat of [[Division of Eden-Monaro|Eden-Monaro]], but lost the bid.<ref name="Masters-2002" />

In 1978, he was the candidate for the July 1978 by-election for the New South Wales state seat of [[Electoral district of Earlwood|Earlwood]] for the [[Liberal Party of Australia]], formerly held by deposed [[List of leaders of the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division)|Liberal leader]] Sir [[Eric Willis]]. He lost what had been considered a "safe seat".<ref>{{cite NSW election |year=1976 |district=Earlwood_1 |title=1978 Earlwood by-election |access-date=26 June 2020}}</ref> Jones again contested the seat for the Liberal Party at the [[1978 New South Wales state election]] held in October; the [[Australian Labor Party]] candidate was returned with a greater majority.<ref>{{cite NSW election |year=1978 |district=Earlwood |access-date=26 June 2020}}</ref>

In September 1979, Jones stood for Liberal preselection for the federal [[Division of North Sydney]], placing third in the ballot. The winning candidate, Peter Solomon, was later disendorsed, but Jones did not recontest the ballot in March 1980, with [[John Spender]] taking preselection and winning the seat.<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref name="FourCorners" />

In 1986, Jones nominated for the Liberal preselection for the federal [[Division of Wentworth]] in Sydney, but was a late withdrawal from the ballot; the preselection and seat was won by future Liberal leader [[John Hewson]].<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref name="FourCorners" />

== Coaching career ==

===Rugby union===
1982 was the beginning of Jones' association with semi-professional rugby, firstly appointed as (part-time) manager of the [[New South Wales Waratahs|NSW Rugby Union team]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Isabella |date=18 November 2024 |title=Alan Jones's domination of Sydney's airwaves for decades gave him influence in Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-18/who-is-alan-jones-backstory-2gb-radio-host-veteran-broadcaster/104613232 |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> The next year he served as coach for the [[Manly RUFC|Manly Rugby Union team]],<ref name=":0" /> winning the [[Shute Shield]] competition for the first time in 32 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClymont |first=Kate |date=17 November 2024 |title=How Alan Jones rose to power grilling the most powerful |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/how-alan-jones-rose-to-power-grilling-the-most-powerful-20241118-p5kre8.html |access-date=18 November 2024 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

In February 1984, Jones replaced [[Bob Dwyer]] as coach of the [[Australia national rugby union team]] (the Wallabies). Jones coached the Australian team for 4 years with 86 victories from 102 matches including 23 victories in 30 Tests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mr Alan Jones AO – Biography |url=http://www.joansutherlandsociety.com/mr-alan-jones-ao.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127022858/http://www.joansutherlandsociety.com/mr-alan-jones-ao.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2013 |website=Joan Sutherland Society |access-date=26 January 2017 }}</ref> When he took the team on it included [[Mark Ella]], and it soon recruited [[Peter FitzSimons]] and [[James Black (rugby union)|James Black]], both Manly players, and [[Nick Farr-Jones]]. Also in 1984, Australia's national team, the Wallabies, won the [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] victories over [[England national rugby union team|England]], [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] and [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]], and a ''[[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]]'' side made up of the best players of those countries and [[France national rugby union team|France]]. In 1985, Jones was awarded Coach of the Year from the Confederation of Australian Sport.<ref name="Masters-2002" />

The 1986 [[Bledisloe Cup]] victory against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] in New Zealand was the first time that had been achieved in 39 years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aru.rugby.com.au/qantas_wallabies/trophies/bledisloe_cup,158.html |title=Australian Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup Results |access-date=16 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426232848/http://www.aru.rugby.com.au/qantas_wallabies/trophies/bledisloe_cup,158.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1988, Jones was made a [[Member of the Order of Australia]] for his service to Rugby Union football.<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/886694 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417221144/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/886694 |date=17 April 2023 }} – Member of the Order of Australia</ref> In 1989, Jones was elected to the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]] for his contribution to sport as the Australian rugby union coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/alan-jones-coach/|title=Alan Jones|website=sahof.org.au|access-date=24 September 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930222220/https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/alan-jones-coach/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2007, Jones signalled his interest in coaching the Wallabies after [[Queensland Rugby Union|Queensland Rugby]] Chairman Peter Lewis suggested to the media he was the right person for the job. "If Peter Lewis and the Queensland Rugby Union – who have played a major role in Australian rugby for many years – are of the view I am the person who can make that contribution then I am obligated to put my hand up and say, 'Well if that is the case, I'm available'."<ref>{{cite news|last=Geddes|first=Jon|title=I can save the Wallabies: Jones|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/i-can-save-the-wallabies-jones/story-e6frg7mf-1111114721069|access-date=15 December 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=25 October 2007}}</ref>

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) on 14 December 2007 ruled Jones out of the coaching position, instead appointing New Zealand [[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]] coach [[Robbie Deans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2119539.htm|title=PM – Robbie Deans appointed as Wallabies coach|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511233836/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2119539.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Jones took up an invitation to coach the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] against the Classic Wallabies in Lismore and the Wallabies in Sydney during the [[2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals]].

===Rugby league===
In 1990, Jones replaced [[Warren Ryan]] as coach of the [[Balmain Tigers]] rugby league football club, without accepting a fee.<ref>{{cite book
  | last = Toby Creswell and Samantha Trenoweth
  | title = 1001 Australians You Should Know
  | publisher = Pluto Press
  | year = 2006
  | location = Australia
  | page = 935
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QqtinbjO0oEC&q=rugby
  | isbn = 978-1-86403-361-8}} 
</ref> Balmain had been quite successful, including coming runners-up in 1988 and 1989 in the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership]], but with Jones in charge they struggled despite his claims upon appointment that "Balmain are sick and tired of coming second". It was while coaching Balmain that Jones was dubbed with his best known nickname, the 'Parrot', by comedian [[Greig Pickhaver]] in his role as sports commentator [[Roy and HG|H.G. Nelson]], although Jones has never approved of the name.<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref name="Salter-2006" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Klan|first=Anthony|title=Parrot Alan Jones changes tune on BER|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/schools-watch/parrot-alan-jones-changes-tune-on-ber/story-fn56ulhe-1225859084906|work=[[The Australian]]|access-date=10 January 2013|date=28 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Klein|first=Nathan|title='Bullying' crusade turns off ads on Alan Jones show|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bullying-crusade-turns-off-ads-on-jones-show/story-e6freuy9-1226490204349|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=10 January 2013|date=8 October 2012|quote=Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said..."Because I think the idea of the parrot being out there saying 'Oh, woe is me. Those nasty people are being nasty to me' is frankly just a bit much."|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021003619/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bullying-crusade-turns-off-ads-on-jones-show/story-e6freuy9-1226490204349|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jones coached Balmain from 1991 to 1993 with these results: 1991 – 8 wins, 12th place; 1992 – 10 wins, 10th place; 1993 – 5 wins, 12th place. At the end of the 1993 season he reapplied for the coaching role, offering a new business plan to the board, but when it was rejected he resigned. He was soon after appointed as the Manager of Football Operations with the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] rugby league club, also without a fee.<ref name="Masters-2007" />

== Media career ==

===Radio===
In 1985, Jones joined the Sydney [[Amplitude modulation|AM]] radio station [[2UE]] as the morning show host after long-time host [[John Laws]] left for [[2GB]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Javes|first=Sue|title=No longer a Laws unto himself|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/TV--Radio/No-longer-a-Laws-unto-himself/2005/01/31/1107020329586.html|access-date=27 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 February 2005|archive-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111160935/http://www.smh.com.au/news/TV--Radio/No-longer-a-Laws-unto-himself/2005/01/31/1107020329586.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Laws returned to 2UE in 1988 to again host the morning show, so from March of that year Jones was moved to the breakfast slot from 5.30&nbsp;am to 9.00&nbsp;am. On changing to the breakfast show, Jones first adopted the program's long-time opening and closing theme music, "[[Gloria (Laura Branigan song)|Gloria]]" by [[Laura Branigan]]. By the mid-1990s Jones' audience share in the Sydney market was up to 22%, giving him the largest radio audience in Sydney, and, including his transmissions into regional and interstate markets, possibly the largest radio audience in Australia.<ref name="Masters-2007" />

Jones' program has remained little changed over time, as a mixture of opinion pieces, interviews, [[Talk radio|talkback]], and commercial endorsements. His on-air popularity has made him a highly paid and powerful media personality. Jones uses his program to advocate largely conservative views, and he has been described as one of the most influential broadcasters in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tell-all Alan Jones book axed |first=Greg |last=Ansley |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=5 July 2006 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=263&objectid=10389743 |access-date=6 March 2007 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929205520/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=263&objectid=10389743 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jones, Laws stoush engulfs PM |first=Emma |last=Alberici |publisher=[[The 7.30 Report]] |date=28 April 2004 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2004/s1096936.htm |access-date=6 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420113552/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2004/s1096936.htm |archive-date=20 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Throughout his time on radio Jones has frequently been referred to as a '[[shock jock]]' due to the style of his presentation, although he personally rejects this term.<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref name="Kermond-2011" />

In January 1993, the [[International Year#1990s|International Year of the World's Indigenous People]], Jones described the choice of [[Aboriginal Australian]] [[Mandawuy Yunupingu]] as [[Australian of the Year]] as "ridiculous" and suggested Yunupingu had been granted the award because of his "colour or&nbsp;...&nbsp;history".<ref name="Masters-2007">{{cite book |title=Jonestown: The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2fIICRoK_G0C&q=Mandawuy+Yunupingu+%22alan+jones%22+australian+year&pg=PA250 |last=Masters |first=Chris |year=2007 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |isbn=978-1-74175-156-7 }}</ref> Later that year, prominent Aboriginal Australian [[Charles Perkins (Aboriginal activist)|Charles Perkins]] and Jones clashed in a live TV and radio debate. Jones said Australians are "getting no say when [Aboriginal people] say this is [their] nation; it's not, it's Australia's nation&nbsp;... [Average Australians] are being asked to pay taxes to fund people who are seeking title to productive land to which they've made no contribution to its productivity". Perkins called Jones racist and a redneck and commented "You've sat on your white bum at 2UE in Sydney all your life so you wouldn't know what goes on out there".<ref name="FourCorners" />

On seven occasions between 1990 and 1997, Jones was awarded by [[Commercial Radio Australia]] the title Australian Radio Talk Personality of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|title=TOP 50 2012 MEDIA: Alan Jones|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/top50/2012/alan-jones/story-fnbtukvi-1226271522451|work=The Australian|access-date=18 November 2012|date=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Previous ACRA Winners & Finalists lists |url=http://www.commercialradio.com.au/acras/archive-1029.cfm |work=commercialradio.com.au |access-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622004942/http://www.commercialradio.com.au/acras/archive-1029.cfm |archive-date=22 June 2012 }}</ref> In 2001 Jones was awarded the [[Centenary Medal]]<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1117088 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417221142/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1117088 |date=17 April 2023 }} – Centenary Medal</ref> and the [[Australian Sports Medal]],<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/970583 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417221145/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/970583 |date=17 April 2023 }} – Australian Sports Medal</ref> both being awarded for his contributions to sport and the broadcasting industry.

In 2002, Jones switched to 2GB as breakfast announcer,<ref name="Casey-2010">{{cite news |last1=Casey |first1=Marcus |date=27 March 2010 |title=Alan Jones – the million-dollar views of a humble man |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Australia |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/alan-jones-the-million-dollar-views-of-a-humble-man/story-e6frewz0-1225846184673}}</ref> reportedly also taking a financial interest in the station.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knott|first1=Matthew|title=Unsackable: why Alan Jones can say what he likes|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/10/01/unsackable-why-alan-jones-can-say-what-he-likes/|access-date=14 November 2015|agency=Crikey|publisher=Private Media Ltd|date=1 October 2012|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021040/http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/10/01/unsackable-why-alan-jones-can-say-what-he-likes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, Jones' audience numbers began to fall, with competition from [[702 ABC Sydney|ABC Radio 702]], although he retained his number one position.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sue |last=Javes |title=It's struggle street for Alan Jones |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/its-struggle-street-for-alan-jones/2008/06/17/1213468421699.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=18 June 2008 |access-date=3 July 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080804145501/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/its-struggle-street-for-alan-jones/2008/06/17/1213468421699.html| archive-date= 4 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> In 2011, Jones had an audience share of 19.2 per cent, still the largest for a radio commentator in Sydney.<ref>{{cite news|title=2GB's Alan Jones reclaims title of most listened to radio show in latest Nielsen survey|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/gbs-alan-jones-reclaims-title-of-most-listened-to-radio-show-in-latest-nielsen-survey/story-e6frewz0-1226135756281|access-date=16 December 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 September 2011|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507050742/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/gbs-alan-jones-reclaims-title-of-most-listened-to-radio-show-in-latest-nielsen-survey/story-e6frewz0-1226135756281|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 Jones retained the largest share,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/au/en/surveys/2012/SydneySurvey8-2012.pdf|title=Nielsen Poll No.8 2012|website=nielsen.com|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012221/http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/au/en/surveys/2012/SydneySurvey8-2012.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> with 18.5% of the Sydney radio audience,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mumbrella.com.au/radio-ratings-sydney-alan-jones-and-sandilands-on-the-up-97854 |title=Radio ratings: Sydney – Alan Jones and Sandilands on the up |publisher=Mumbrella |date=19 June 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028013812/http://mumbrella.com.au/radio-ratings-sydney-alan-jones-and-sandilands-on-the-up-97854 |url-status=live }}</ref> although this represented an average number of listeners of just 151,000 out of a listening audience of 469,000 and a possible Sydney audience of 4.1 million, and was down from 185,000 in 2006 despite an increase in population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theconversation.edu.au/gillard-takes-a-calculated-risk-in-leaving-alan-jones-adrift-9905 |title=Gillard takes a calculated risk in leaving Alan Jones adrift |publisher=Theconversation.edu.au |date=2 October 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007221452/http://theconversation.edu.au/gillard-takes-a-calculated-risk-in-leaving-alan-jones-adrift-9905 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2013, his audience share dropped to 15.4%.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/broadcast/jones-on-the-slide-in-radio-ratings/story-fna045gd-1226591086375 | work=The Australian | title=Alan Jones on the slide in radio ratings | date=6 March 2013 | access-date=6 March 2013 | archive-date=6 March 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306104138/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/broadcast/jones-on-the-slide-in-radio-ratings/story-fna045gd-1226591086375 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2014, Jones celebrated having the highest share in Sydney breakfast radio for 100 consecutive radio rating surveys.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/its-wonderful-2gbs-ray-hadley-stoked-about-his-171-audience-share-as-alan-jones-celebrates-a-century/news-story/65e0b024df54405d8ee71e1fe70f4204|title='It's wonderful': 2GB's Ray Hadley stoked about his 17.1 audience share as Alan Jones celebrates a century|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|first=Christine|last=Sams|date=11 November 2014|access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref>

In May 2020, Jones announced he would retire from his role at 2GB at the end of that month.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> He cited ill health, however some news outlets have stated that it was a forced resignation after making controversial comments about [[New Zealand]] Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] the previous year cost his breakfast program large sums of money from advertisers. Some of that revenue has never returned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=An advertiser exodus meant the writing was on the wall for Alan Jones|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/an-advertiser-exodus-meant-the-writing-was-on-the-wall-for-alan-jones-20200512-p54s2s.html|last=Samios|first=Zoe|date=2020-05-12|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512215821/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/an-advertiser-exodus-meant-the-writing-was-on-the-wall-for-alan-jones-20200512-p54s2s.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Print===
Jones' first regular position in the media was writing a column called "The Way I See It" for the Quirindi ''Advocate'' newspaper from November 1977 until February 1978.<ref name="Masters-2007" /> From 1988 until 1990 Jones wrote a regular column for the Sydney Sunday tabloid ''[[The Sun-Herald]]'', but did not appear following a petition by staff calling for his removal as a contributor. This followed Jones' publication of a column predicting an oil crisis, in which a large amount of material had been taken from [[Frederick Forsyth]]'s novel ''[[The Negotiator (novel)|The Negotiator]]'' without attribution or indication that their source was a work of fiction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alan Jones – The Parrot is Back |publisher=[[Media Watch (TV program)|Media Watch]]|date=22 May 2000 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s130217.htm|access-date=6 March 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070210082842/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s130217.htm| archive-date= 10 February 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Jones was later hired by the Sun-Herald's rival paper, ''[[The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney)|The Sunday Telegraph]]'', where he wrote a one-page column titled "To the Point" until 1995.<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Paul|title=Shock jock shows even death is not the end|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10838675|access-date=20 October 2012|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|date=6 October 2012|archive-date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009072621/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10838675|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the 1980s, Jones has frequently been the subject of profile pieces in newspapers and magazines throughout the country, which have ranged in style from complimentary to investigatory and critical.<ref name="Masters-2007" />

===Television===
At the end of January 1994, Jones debuted in his own [[Network Ten]] program, ''[[Alan Jones Live]]'', intended to be similar in purpose and content to the American program ''[[Larry King Live]]''. Proving to be a ratings failure, it was cancelled in April 1994 after just 13 weeks on air.<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Idato|first=Michael|title=Those were the days|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/those-were-the-days/2007/04/29/1177787956160.html?|access-date=7 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 April 2007|archive-date=7 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107123655/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/those-were-the-days/2007/04/29/1177787956160.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 1995, he began a segment making editorial comment on the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[Today (1982 TV program)|Today]]'' breakfast show.<ref name="Masters-2007" /> Jones continued to present this 7.15&nbsp;am editorial on ''Today'' until it was eventually cancelled in June 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alan Jones sacked by Nine |work=News.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21858001-5001021,00.html |access-date=6 June 2007 |first=Marcus |last=Casey |date=6 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607215056/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C21858001-5001021%2C00.html |archive-date=7 June 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 2013, Jones began co-hosting a political discussion program on [[Sky News Australia]] with [[Graham Richardson]] named ''[[Richo + Jones]]''. The episode on 22 April 2014 was the twentieth most watched show on subscription television reaching 39,000 viewers and was the channel's second highest broadcast that day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tuesday 22 April 2014|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/04/tuesday-22-april-2014.html|work=TV Tonight|access-date=23 April 2014|date=23 April 2014|archive-date=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425221020/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/04/tuesday-22-april-2014.html|url-status=live}}</ref> An episode on 17 June, featuring a live interview with [[Clive Palmer]], was the seventeenth most watched show on subscription television and the most watched broadcast on Sky News with 43,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tuesday 17 June 2014|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/06/tuesday-17-june-2014.html|work=TV Tonight|access-date=18 June 2014|date=18 June 2014|archive-date=21 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621161815/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/06/tuesday-17-june-2014.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The program was then retitled ''Jones & Co'' and co-hosted by [[Peta Credlin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/news-corps-outspoken-columnist-peta-credlin-to-join-alan-jones-show-on-sky-news/news-story/49a245ac83ff54f28069a57de7b95e24|title=News Corp's outspoken columnist Peta Credlin to join Alan Jones' show on Sky News|date=23 May 2017|access-date=23 May 2017|work=news.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia|first=Ian|last=Horswill|archive-date=23 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523032123/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/news-corps-outspoken-columnist-peta-credlin-to-join-alan-jones-show-on-sky-news/news-story/49a245ac83ff54f28069a57de7b95e24|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2021, Jones' contract with Sky News was not renewed.<ref name="Malone-2021" /> This means that for the first time in Jones' media career he has not had a media platform.<ref name="Malone-2021" />

Since December 2021, Jones began co-hosting a political discussion program on the free, digital platform, ADH TV,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/alan-jones-signs-with-australian-digital-holdings-and-announces-new-program/|title=Alan Jones signs with Australian Digital Holdings for new show|date=10 December 2021|access-date=31 March 2023|archive-date=17 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517050535/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/alan-jones-signs-with-australian-digital-holdings-and-announces-new-program/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://mumbrella.com.au/alan-jones-to-host-new-program-via-digital-media-company-717559 | title=Alan Jones to host new program via digital media company | date=10 December 2021 | access-date=31 March 2023 | archive-date=31 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331134514/https://mumbrella.com.au/alan-jones-to-host-new-program-via-digital-media-company-717559 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Stage===
[[File:Alan Jones portraying Franklin Delano Roosevelt.jpg|thumb|200px|Jones as [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] in the musical ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'']]Jones had his stage musical debut in 2012, playing the role of [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] in the [[Lyric Theatre, Sydney|Lyric Theatre]]'s production of ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' the Musical in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marquand |first=Sarrah Le |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/musical-review-of-annie-in-sydney-as-alan-jones-makes-history/story-e6frf00i-1226238152314 |title=Musical review of Annie in Sydney as Alan Jones makes history &#124; thetelegraph.com.au |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia |date=6 January 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>

==Charity work==
Jones is noted for his support of [[Charitable organization|charity organisations]] and charitable causes. As well as financial contributions, Jones has regularly made personal appearances and given talks to support organisations which he backs. Jones is also well known for providing support to individuals, such as listeners who contact him through his radio show, and for giving personal, professional, and financial assistance to friends and acquaintances, especially young elite sportspeople.<ref name="Masters-2007" />

In 2004, Jones received a Queen's Birthday Honour of an [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO) partly for his service to the media and sports' administration, but also helping many charities.<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1056768 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417221144/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1056768 |date=17 April 2023 }} – Officer of the Order of Australia</ref> These organisations included [[Youth Off The Streets]], the Children's Hospital, [[Starlight Children's Foundation]], the Sir [[Weary Dunlop|Edward Dunlop]] Medical Research Foundation and the Heart Research Institute.<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen's Honour for Alan Jones |url=http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/2521 |access-date=21 October 2012 |work=radioinfo.com.au |archive-date=13 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213040050/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/2521 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Views and comments==
Jones has been a participant in national debates for some decades. A former candidate for Liberal Party of Australia preselection, and former adviser to Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser, Jones is a noted supporter of conservative politics in Australia. He has nonetheless at different times criticised or joined forces with Australian politicians from across the party-political spectrum to lobby for political causes.

Jones says he does not believe in significant [[Anthropogenic Climate Change|human-induced climate change]] and has been critical of government policy to use the Australian taxation system as a means of reducing carbon emissions.<ref>{{cite book |title=Global Warming and Climate Change: What Australia knew and buried...then framed a new reality for the public |author=Maria Taylor |page=107 |publisher=ANU Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-1925021912 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=12VqBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA107 |quote=The prominence of conservative commentators in print... has been matched by a troupe of radio talkback hosts, following John Laws and Alan Jones, who are hostile to climate science. By and large they are ... a confusing and misinforming agent in the public discussion whose power has contributed to a disoriented public.}}</ref> His radio show often promoted [[climate change denial]], including claims that increases in carbon dioxide are natural and that there is significant scientific disagreement on the IPCC's findings.<ref>{{cite book |title=Greening Auto Jobs: A Critical Analysis of the Green Job Solution |author=Caleb Goods |page=67 |publisher=Lexington Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-0739189818 |quote=Radio 'shock jocks' such as Alan Jones have made false claims about the scientific evidence that informs climate change policy action on their ... radio programs. Jones also picks interviewees who will make similar claims, such as Prof. Bob Carter who, during Jones's show, argued that "nature produces nearly all of the carbon dioxide in the air. Human beings produce 0.001 percent ..." Carter's statistics are completely wrong as humans are actually responsible for close to 30 percent ...}}</ref> Jones is a supporter of the [[Galileo Movement]], a climate change denial group which argues that climate change is a hoax perpetrated to form a world government.<ref>{{cite book |author=David Marr |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jWjiAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT109 |title=Rudd v. Abbott |publisher=Black Inc |year=2013 |isbn=978-1922231307 |quote=Abbott's election would prove a big win for the forces of climate change denial...Many of the groups clamouring for Abbott's attention...believe climate change is a hoax designed to create a world government run by a cabal of fabulously wealthy bankers. Alan Jones is patron of the Galileo Movement that argues just that.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Michael E. Mann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=klerAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA95 |title=The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0231152556 |page=95 |quote=Ball (along with a number of other climate change contrarians we've encountered) serves as an adviser to a group that actually bills itself the "Galileo Movement." The group's web site offers this raison d'etre... "At first they simply accepted politicians' claims of global warming blamed on human production of carbon dioxide ({{CO2}}). When things didn't add up... they discovered... climate claims by some scientists and politicians contradicted observed facts."}}</ref> After the 2010 Australian Federal Election, Jones was critical of Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]]'s decision to introduce a price on carbon claiming that this was breaking a pre-election promise.<ref name="gillard" /> In 2012, the Australian Communications and Media Authority censured Jones for broadcasting falsities about anthropological carbon dioxide, ordering him to undergo factual accuracy training and employ a fact-checker.<ref name="Hall-2012">{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Bianca|title=Alan Jones ordered to undergo 'factual accuracy' training|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/alan-jones-ordered-to-undergo-factual-accuracy-training-20121018-27srs.html|access-date=18 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 October 2012}}</ref>

Jones, a Sydney-based broadcaster, has criticised Sydney Lord Mayor [[Clover Moore]]'s efforts to close lane ways and parking areas in the city of Sydney to cars. Jones says that this unduly inconveniences long-distance commuters and adversely affects city based businesses. On 29 June 2011, Jones said of the Lord Mayor of Sydney "put her in the same chaff bag as Julia Gillard and throw them both out to sea" and about Greens leader [[Bob Brown]] "The woman's [Gillard] off her tree and quite frankly they should shove her and Bob Brown in a chaff bag and take them as far out to sea as they can and tell them to swim home." In February 2011, Jones asked Gillard on-air how she felt about being called "Ju-liar" and that "[people] ... are saying that we've got a liar running the country" following the reversal of her pre-election pledge not to introduce a new carbon tax.<ref name="gillard">{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/alan-jones-lets-rip-at-juliar-gillard-20110225-1b7km.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=25 February 2011 | title=Alan Jones lets rip at 'Ju-liar' Gillard | access-date=23 March 2012 | archive-date=15 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115161837/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/alan-jones-lets-rip-at-juliar-gillard-20110225-1b7km.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He also criticised her for being 10 minutes late for his program.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jacqueline | last = Maley | title = The fee, me and Alan Jones | date = 22 August 2011 | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Faifax | url = http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-fee-me-and-alan-jones-how-question-of-money-turned-crowd-nasty-20110822-1j6fu.html | access-date = 26 November 2011 | archive-date = 20 November 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111120052636/http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-fee-me-and-alan-jones-how-question-of-money-turned-crowd-nasty-20110822-1j6fu.html | url-status = live }}</ref> These comments attracted condemnation from critics, including ABC Television's [[Jonathan Holmes (journalist)|Jonathan Holmes]] of ''Media Watch''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holmes|first=Jonathan|title=Personal or policy? You be the judge|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3272172.htm|work=Media Watch|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=27 October 2012|date=18 July 2011|archive-date=7 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007015648/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3272172.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jones has called for consideration of expanding Australia's irrigation and dam systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=339&Itemid=90 |title=WATER 1 MAY 2006 – Sydney Talkback Radio 2GB 873AM – 2GB.com – News, Talk, Sport, Entertainment |publisher=2GB.com |date=1 May 2006 |access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> He opposed the [[Morris Iemma|Iemma Labor Government]]'s plan to privatise the [[Snowy Mountains Scheme]] in 2006, and in 2011, he broadcast from Mildura from where he criticised the [[Gillard government]]'s [[Murray–Darling basin|Murray-Darling Basin Plan]], saying "we're seeing policy made without any consultation with people who are the stakeholders – the farmers".<ref>http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/local/news/news-features/national-audience-jones-to-broadcast-two-shows-from-mildura/2356249.aspx{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[File:Broadcaster Alan Jones address the Bowral crowd.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Jones addressing a coal seam gas protest meeting in [[Bowral]] on 19 November 2011]]
Jones has been a campaigner against [[coal seam]] gas mining in prime agricultural regions in Australia. Jones said on ABC Television that "no-one can be serious when they talk about food security and the great opportunities for us in Asia when our prime agricultural land is being surrendered to mining."<ref>{{cite web |author=Leigh Sales |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/sales-interview-with-alan-jones/3580068 |title=Sales interview with Alan Jones – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 October 2011 |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=20 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920062735/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/sales-interview-with-alan-jones/3580068 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2011, Jones addressed the [[National Press Club (Australia)|National Press Club]] on the issue.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/at-the-coalface-jones-and-greens-together-in-mining-fight-20111019-1m85u.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=20 October 2011 | title=At the coalface: Jones and Greens together in mining fight | access-date=23 March 2012 | archive-date=17 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117212129/http://www.smh.com.au/environment/at-the-coalface-jones-and-greens-together-in-mining-fight-20111019-1m85u.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2019, Jones was criticised for his remark that Prime Minister [[Scott Morrison]] should "shove a sock down [the] throat" of his [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|New Zealand counterpart]] [[Jacinda Ardern]] following her criticism at the 2019 [[Pacific Islands Forum]] conference in [[Tuvalu]] of the Australian Government's inaction on climate change. Jones later derided Ardern as a lightweight Prime Minister and hypocrite. Jones' remarks were widely criticised by several quarters including former Australian Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] and his successor Morrison.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noyes |first1=Jenny |title=Jones again attacks Ardern who brushes off 'sock down her throat' comment |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/jones-again-attacks-ardern-who-brushes-off-sock-down-her-throat-comment-20190816-p52hp2.html |access-date=17 August 2019 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817082742/https://www.smh.com.au/national/jones-again-attacks-ardern-who-brushes-off-sock-down-her-throat-comment-20190816-p52hp2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Australian PM slams Alan Jones' call to 'shove a sock down throat' of Jacinda Ardern |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115045951/australian-pm-slams-alan-jones-call-to-shove-a-sock-down-throat-of-jacinda-ardern |access-date=17 August 2019 |work=[[Stuff (company)]] |date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816061837/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115045951/australian-pm-slams-alan-jones-call-to-shove-a-sock-down-throat-of-jacinda-ardern |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bourke |first1=Latika |title='Appalling misogynist': Malcolm Turnbull unloads on shock jock Alan Jones |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/appalling-misogynist-malcolm-turnbull-unloads-on-shock-jock-alan-jones-20190816-p52hz8.html |access-date=17 August 2019 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=17 August 2019 |archive-date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817021558/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/appalling-misogynist-malcolm-turnbull-unloads-on-shock-jock-alan-jones-20190816-p52hz8.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At least five companies cancelled advertising with Jones' 2GB radio show following complaints from customers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/alan-jones-losing-more-advertisers-in-wake-of-attack-on-jacinda-ardern-20190819-p52iip.html|title=Alan Jones losing more advertisers in wake of attack on Jacinda Ardern|first=Jenny|last=Noyes|date=19 August 2019|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=20 August 2019|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820040710/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/alan-jones-losing-more-advertisers-in-wake-of-attack-on-jacinda-ardern-20190819-p52iip.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jones later sent an apology letter to Prime Minister Ardern, apologizing for "not choosing his words carefully."<ref>{{cite news |title=Jacinda Ardern receives apology letter from {{sic|Aust|alian|nolink=y}} broadcaster Alan Jones |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-receives-apology-letter-austalian-broadcaster-alan-jones |access-date=17 August 2019 |publisher=[[1News]] |date=17 August 2019 |archive-date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817082744/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-receives-apology-letter-austalian-broadcaster-alan-jones |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |title=Alan Jones writes to Jacinda Ardern to apologise after companies pull ads |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/aug/16/alan-jones-writes-to-jacinda-ardern-to-apologise-after-companies-pull-ads |access-date=17 August 2019 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 August 2019}}</ref>

Jones is a critic of [[foreign ownership]] in Australia, especially by China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/foreign-ownership-register-a-whitewashed-travesty-alan-jones-puts-scott-morrison-on-notice-20160907-grakuw.html|title=Foreign ownership register a 'whitewashed travesty': Alan Jones puts Scott Morrison on notice|first=Amy|last=Remeikis|date=7 September 2016|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212132609/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/foreign-ownership-register-a-whitewashed-travesty-alan-jones-puts-scott-morrison-on-notice-20160907-grakuw.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/05/andrew-robb-denounces-alan-joness-foreign-ownership-tirade-a-racist-scare|title=Andrew Robb denounces Alan Jones's foreign ownership tirade a 'racist scare'|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=5 August 2015}}</ref>

=== "Died of shame" controversy ===
{{main|Alan Jones "died of shame" controversy}}

In a September 2012 speech at a [[Sydney University Liberal Club]] social function, Jones stated that Prime Minister Julia Gillard was a liar and, as a consequence, her father had recently "died of shame".<ref>{{dead link|date=December 2023}}{{cite web |date=7 October 2012 |title=Alan Jones speech &#124; thetelegraph.com.au |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/alan-jones-speech/story-e6freuy9-1226489927031 |access-date=20 October 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1 October 2012 |title=Journalist says no Jones privacy breach |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |agency=Australian Associated Press |url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/journalist-says-no-jones-privacy-breach-20121001-26unk.html |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-date=5 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005115716/http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/journalist-says-no-jones-privacy-breach-20121001-26unk.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Holmes |date=8 October 2012 |title=Recording Mr Jones|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3606393.htm |access-date=20 October 2012 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531041002/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3606393.htm |archive-date=31 May 2016 |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> The remarks relating to Gillard's father were condemned from all sides of the political spectrum by politicians, media and social media outlets. Jones held a press conference and said he "got it wrong", and wanted to apologise to Gillard both publicly and in person.<ref name="Gartrell-2012">{{cite web |title=PM won't talk to Jones after father slur |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8540822/alan-jones-apologies-to-julia-gillard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002232549/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8540822/alan-jones-apologies-to-julia-gillard |archive-date=2 October 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |website=News.ninemsn.com.au |first=Adam |last=Gartrell |date=30 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=1 October 2012 |title=Alan Jones' slur reminiscent of Romney gaff |url=http://media-matters.com.au/2012/10/01/alan-jones-slur-reminiscent-of-romney-gaff/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409031104/http://media-matters.com.au/2012/10/01/alan-jones-slur-reminiscent-of-romney-gaff/ |archive-date=9 April 2013 |access-date=20 October 2012 |publisher=Media-matters.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Gardiner |date=2 October 2012 |title=How sincere is that apology? |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/how-sincere-is-that-apology-20121002-26x0r.html |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207002450/https://www.theage.com.au/national/how-sincere-is-that-apology-20121002-26x0r.html |archive-date=7 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1 October 2012 |title=No PM talkback to Jones after father slur |work=AAP |first=Adam |last=Gartrell |publisher=The West Australian |via=Yahoo! 7 News |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/14998867/alan-jones-apologies-to-julia-gillard/ |url-status=dead |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021215015/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/14998867/alan-jones-apologies-to-julia-gillard/ |archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wroe |first=David |date=2 October 2012 |title=Advertisers flee as public slams Jones' remark |url=http://www.gippslandtimes.com.au/story/370671/advertisers-flee-as-public-slams-jones-remark/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110230652/http://www.gippslandtimes.com.au/story/370671/advertisers-flee-as-public-slams-jones-remark/ |archive-date=10 January 2016 |access-date=20 October 2012 |work=Gippsland Times}}</ref> Julia Gillard refused to receive a call from Jones for an apology.<ref name="Gartrell-2012" /> Both the prime minister's Labor colleagues and Liberal figures including Opposition leader Tony Abbott criticised Jones for his remarks.<ref>{{Cite news |url-access=subscription |date=30 September 2012 |title=Abbott joins chorus condemning Jones |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/tony-abbott-joins-chorus-condemning-jones/news-story/e0ed808e6e3f437b59397f343af7885b |website=The Australian |access-date=20 August 2019 |archive-date=20 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820041423/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/tony-abbott-joins-chorus-condemning-jones/news-story/e0ed808e6e3f437b59397f343af7885b |url-status=live }}</ref> There have been suggestions from the media that this was part of what led to [[Julia Gillard]]'s so-called "[[Misogyny Speech]]"<ref>{{cite news |quote=Ahead of Ms Gillard's speech, Mr Abbott told the parliament: "This is a government which is only too ready to detect sexism – to detect misogyny, no less – until they find it in one of their own supporters". "Every day the Prime Minister stands in this parliament to defend this Speaker will be another day of shame for this parliament and another day of shame for a government which should have already died of shame," he said. His words echoed those of former 2GB radio host Alan Jones, who infamously said Ms Gillard's father 'died of shame', shortly after his death in 2012. Alan Jones attacked Julia Gillard on air. Speaking at a Young Liberals dinner in Sydney, Jones said: "Every person in the caucus of the Labor Party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar, everybody. I will come to that in a moment. The old man recently died a few weeks ago of shame. To think that he has a daughter who told lies every time she stood for Parliament," Jones said. |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/julia-gillard-misogyny-speech/8r2ue1lt9 |title=Why people are still talking about 'that' Julia Gillard speech 10 years on |date=6 October 2022 |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=6 December 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206232424/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/julia-gillard-misogyny-speech/8r2ue1lt9 |first=Charis |last=Chang |work=[[SBS World News|SBS News]]}}</ref>

Labor Party figures sought to associate Tony Abbott and the Liberal Party with Jones' remarks, leading to counteraccusations that they were seeking to "gain political capital" from the affair.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 October 2012 |title=Jones comments spark new political spat |url= http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3601079.htm  |work=The World Today |access-date=20 October 2012 |via=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512101446/http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3601079.htm |archive-date=12 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=8 October 2012 |title=Bullying, Education & Purpose |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3599227.htm |access-date=20 October 2012 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011014104/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3599227.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many sponsors pulled advertising from Jones's show, followed by lobbying campaigned through social media to have the remaining advertisers boycott the program.<ref name="Klein-2012">{{cite news |date=8 October 2012<!-- 4:33PM--> |title='Bullying' crusade turns off ads on Alan Jones show |work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |via=[[news.com.au]] |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/bullying-crusade-turns-off-ads-on-jones-show/news-story/6e457daaa7826b5572a435626d412443 |access-date=7 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206234142/https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/bullying-crusade-turns-off-ads-on-jones-show/news-story/6e457daaa7826b5572a435626d412443 |archive-date=6 December 2023 |url-status=live |first1=Nathan |last1=Klein |last2=Noone |first2=Richard |last3=Coote |first3=Alice |last4=Fife-Yeomans |first4=Janet}}</ref> On 7 October Jones' employer, the Macquarie Radio Network, announced that it would suspend all advertising on the Alan Jones show on 2GB to protect its advertisers from pressure being applied through social [[media activism]].<ref>{{cite news |date=7 October 2012 |title=2GB drop all advertising on Jones Show |work=radiotoday.com.au |url=http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/1358-2gb-drop-all-advertising-on-jones-show.html |access-date=7 October 2012 |archive-date=30 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430184359/http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/1358-2gb-drop-all-advertising-on-jones-show.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jones called the campaign "cyber bullying".<ref name="Klein-2012" /> More than 80 sponsors boycotted Jones' program, including Telstra, Woolworths, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Coles.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 October 2012<!-- 12:00AM--> |title=Sponsors abandon Alan Jones after consumer backlash |newspaper=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpolitics%2Fsponsors-abandon-alan-jones-after-consumer-backlash%2Fnews-story%2F372a917b1db946d1cc32647846fa0b83&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=HIGH-Segment-2-SCORE&V21spcbehaviour=appendend |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last2=Quinn |last1=Idato |first1=Michael |first2=Karl |title=Sponsors drop Alan Jones after attack on PM |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/sponsors-drop-alan-jones-after-attack-on-pm-20121001-26ugl.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207001557/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/sponsors-drop-alan-jones-after-attack-on-pm-20121001-26ugl.html |archive-date=7 December 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=27 October 2012 |date=1 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 October 2012 |title=The incredible shrinking man |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-incredible-shrinking-man-20121024-284j4.html |first=Justin |last=Smith |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207001455/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-incredible-shrinking-man-20121024-284j4.html |archive-date=7 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Macquarie Radio estimated the boycott cost the station between $1 million and $1.5 million, and some advertisers said they will never return.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 November 2012 |title=Over $1 million lost from Alan Jones advertiser boycott |url=http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/over-1-million-lost-alan-jones-advertiser-boycott |access-date=7 April 2013 |quote=Chairman Russell Tate estimates MRN has lost between $1 to $1.5 million dollars from the campaign against Alan Jones‘ advertisers. |work=radioinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207001917/https://radioinfo.com.au/news/over-1-million-lost-alan-jones-advertiser-boycott/ |archive-date=7 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== COVID-19 ===
During March 2020, while Australia reacted to exponentially increasing infections from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Jones played down the risk, saying "We now seem to be facing the health version of global warming. Exaggeration in almost everything. Certainly in description, and certainly in behaviour."<ref>{{cite news |date=18 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Alan Jones' 'dangerous' virus theory |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-alan-jones-dangerous-virus-theory/news-story/b7e43fa26ca43ce4b3c858a91fe818ff |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326070014/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-alan-jones-dangerous-virus-theory/news-story/b7e43fa26ca43ce4b3c858a91fe818ff |url-status=live }}</ref> In statements playing down the risk of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Jones concentrated on static numbers of infections and death, omitting mention of the universally-agreed exponential increase in those numbers that is behind medical professionals' concerns about the disease.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) |url=https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200314-sitrep-54-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=dcd46351_2 |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314215032/https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200314-sitrep-54-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=dcd46351_2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 March 2020 |title=WHO declares pandemic status for Covid-19 |url=https://www.businessnewsaus.com.au/articles/who-declares-pandemic-status-for-covid-19.html}}</ref> At the time, Jones was in isolation at his country estate to avoid risk of infection.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 March 2020 |title=Alan Jones' butler shown the door |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/alan-jones-butler-shown-the-door-20200318-p54ba3.html |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326070013/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/alan-jones-butler-shown-the-door-20200318-p54ba3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jones's radio audience consists largely of older people who are in the most severe risk group for the disease. Commentator [[Mike Carlton]] labelled Jones's COVID-19 comments as "dangerous" and "reckless".<ref>{{cite news |date=19 March 2020 |title=Alan Jones' latest virus rant |url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/alan-jones-latest-virus-rant/3976304/ |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326070021/https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/alan-jones-latest-virus-rant/3976304/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jones backed down soon afterwards, agreeing that for "those at greater risk, older Australians and those who are more vulnerable, particularly those with pre-existing conditions ... it is a far more serious virus",<ref>{{cite news |date=19 March 2020 |title=Alan Jones addresses coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.2gb.com/alan-jones-addresses-coronavirus-pandemic/ |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326070043/https://www.2gb.com/alan-jones-addresses-coronavirus-pandemic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but still failed to mention the exponential increase in infection and death. Jones said that "China brought this disaster on ..."<ref>{{cite web |date=20 March 2020 |title=Interview with Alan Jones |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-alan-jones |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326070012/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-alan-jones |url-status=dead }}</ref> and raised rumours without evidence of China buying devalued Australian assets.

== Court actions and tribunal findings ==
Throughout his time as a radio personality Jones has been the subject of a number of court and tribunal investigations.

===Defamation cases===
Jones has been involved in numerous defamation cases arising from his comments on radio. These have included:
* 1990: Jones in his role with 2UE was ordered by a court to pay over $55,000 damages for [[Defamation|defaming]] David Parker, a former councillor of the [[NRMA]], the NSW Motorists' organisation; 2UE was also ordered to pay $80,000. Parker was defamed during the NRMA election campaign in October 1986.<ref name="FourCorners">{{cite web|title=Alan Jones Chronology|url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s551929.htm|work=Four Corners|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004011624/http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s551929.htm|archive-date=4 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 1994: Jones and 2UE were sued in November by Don Mackay, president of the [[NRMA]], alleging that Jones made a false imputations against him.<ref name="FourCorners" />
* 1998: Jones claimed on-air that [[rugby league]] [[Rugby league match officials|referee]] [[Bill Harrigan]] was biased. Harrigan sued Jones for defamation and, in 2001, was awarded damages of $90,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mullinslaw.com.au/Admin/Files/130.pdf |title=Harrigan v Jones |access-date=30 March 2008 |author=Highfield, Michael |date=December 2001 |work=M & M Sport |publisher=Mullins & Mullins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719114922/http://mullinslaw.com.au/Admin/Files/130.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*2002: Jones and 2UE settled out of court a defamation claim by Detective Chief Inspector Deborah Wallace, a NSW police officer. Jones defamed Wallace during five broadcasts in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mercer|first=Neil|title=QC sends 'Snugglepot' Jones scurrying|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/20/1029114108858.html|access-date=7 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 August 2002|archive-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114193030/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/20/1029114108858.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2008: Jones was found to have defamed Australian Olympic Committee chief [[John Coates (sports administrator)|John Coates]] with comments regarding Coates' handling of an incident involving rower [[Sally Robbins|Sally Robbins']] performance at the 2004 Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/alan-jones-17m-legal-bill/story-e6freuzi-1225896301918|title=Alan Jones' $1.7m legal bill|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 July 2010|access-date=9 August 2011}}</ref>
* 2011: Jones was sued in December by health bureaucrat Terry Clout over comments made by Jones in March 2009.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kux|first=Yvonne|title=Terry Clout v Alan Jones & Anor|journal=Gazette of Law and Journalism|date=9 December 2011|url=http://www.glj.com.au|access-date=16 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101183942/http://www.glj.com.au/|archive-date=1 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2015: Jones was sued in January by former Queensland Premier [[Campbell Newman]] and deputy [[Jeff Seeney]] over comments made by Jones alleging Mr Newman of lying to him and the public about expanding the Acland coal mine in southern Queensland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Remeikis|first1=Amy|title=Queensland Election 2015: Campbell Newman suing Alan Jones and 4BC|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-state-election-2015/queensland-election-2015-campbell-newman-suing-alan-jones-and-4bc-20150123-12wkn6.html|access-date=23 March 2015|date=23 January 2015|archive-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125230210/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-state-election-2015/queensland-election-2015-campbell-newman-suing-alan-jones-and-4bc-20150123-12wkn6.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2018: Jones was successfully sued by members of the Wagner family after he accused them of being responsible for the deaths of 12 people during the [[2010–11 Queensland floods]] following the collapse of a wall in a quarry they owned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/apr/30/alan-jones-defamation-case-broadcaster-accused-of-baseless-attacks-on-wagner-family|title=Alan Jones defamation case: radio host accused of baseless attacks on Wagner family|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=30 April 2018|website=The Guardian|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502191957/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/apr/30/alan-jones-defamation-case-broadcaster-accused-of-baseless-attacks-on-wagner-family|url-status=live}}</ref> Jones and the radio stations that broadcast him were ordered to pay $3.7 million in damages to the Wagner family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/alan-jones-the-reverse-index-of-certainty-and-the-3-7-million-payout-20180914-p503rd.html|title=Alan Jones, the 'reverse index of certainty' and the $3.7 million payout|first=Chris|last=Masters|date=14 September 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 September 2018|archive-date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915084557/https://www.smh.com.au/national/alan-jones-the-reverse-index-of-certainty-and-the-3-7-million-payout-20180914-p503rd.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2018: Jones was sued by Jeff Parnell, a NSW government acoustic scientist, who was accused by Jones of altering an independent noise-monitoring report for a wind farm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/alan-jones-sued-for-accusing-scientist-of-dishonestly-editing-report-20180511-p4zesd.html|title=Alan Jones sued for accusing scientist of 'dishonestly editing' report|first=Peter|last=Hannam|date=11 May 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512084422/https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/alan-jones-sued-for-accusing-scientist-of-dishonestly-editing-report-20180511-p4zesd.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Others involved in defamation proceedings with Jones have included Aboriginal woman Mary-Lou Buck, Lola Scott (previously the highest-ranking female NSW police officer), Rockdale mayor [[Shaoquett Moselmane]], Aboriginal leader [[Pat Dodson]], the rugby league judiciary, liquidator Ian Ferrier and his twelve partners, Racing NSW's chief steward Ray Murrihy, rugby union chief John O'Neill (about $50,000), former Herald letters editor Geraldine Walsh (about $100,000) and QC Bob Stitt (about $50,000).<ref>{{cite news|last=McClymont|first=Kate|title=Humble pie? Don't kid yourself|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/27/1056683906084.html|access-date=7 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 June 2003|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112194528/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/27/1056683906084.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===London incident===
On 6 December 1988, Jones was arrested in an underground public toilet on Broadwick Street in the [[Soho]] area of London. He was taken to the [[Mayfair]] police station and charged with 'outraging public decency' and 'committing an indecent act'. Jones' friends rushed to his support, and when the case was heard in the [[Great Marlborough Street|Marlborough Street]] [[Magistrates' court (England and Wales)|Magistrates' Court]] the next day [[The Crown]] withdrew the more serious charge, with Jones pleading not guilty to the lesser charge of committing an indecent act. The authorities ultimately did not present any evidence to support either charge, and the second charge was also later dropped, with Jones' lawyers winning [[£]]70 in costs. Jones read a prepared statement when he first appeared back on his radio show on 16 January 1989, saying "I am and always was innocent of the charges levelled against me".<ref name="Masters-2007" /><ref name="smh-demons" /> Jones has avoided talking about the incident ever since, although it is frequently raised by his opponents or those looking to highlight alleged hypocrisy in his comments.<ref name="FourCorners" /><ref name="Salter-2006">{{cite web|last=Salter|first=David|title=Who's for Breakfast, Mr Jones?: Sydney's talkback titan and his mythical power|url=http://www.themonthly.com.au/sydneys-talkback-titan-and-his-mythical-power-whos-breakfast-mr-jones-david-salter-216|work=[[The Monthly]]|publisher=Morry Schwartz|access-date=11 January 2013|date=May 2006|archive-date=25 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125212015/http://www.themonthly.com.au/sydneys-talkback-titan-and-his-mythical-power-whos-breakfast-mr-jones-david-salter-216|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Early contempt of court charges===
In 1992, Jones was rebuked by the [[New South Wales]] [[Independent Commission Against Corruption (New South Wales)|Independent Commission Against Corruption]] for attacking former State Minister Dr [[Terry Metherell]] during evidence in an inquiry relating to Metherell's appointment to a government job.<ref name="FourCorners" />

Also in 1992, Jones and radio station 2UE were found guilty of [[contempt of court]] after the trial of former police officer John Killen was aborted following Jones' interview with a former Drug Enforcement Squad officer.<ref name="FourCorners" /> Killen was facing a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice when Jones conducted the interview and alleged that police had suffered from false accusations. The station was fined $77,000 and Jones $2,000.<ref name="FourCorners" />

===Cash for comment affair===
{{main|Cash for comment affair}}

In July 1994, ''[[Media Watch (TV program)|Media Watch]]'' highlighted Jones' on-air promotion of [[Optus]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ABA prepares for battle over broadcasters' conduct|url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s62332.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=7 October 2012|date=26 October 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714114102/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s62332.htm|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Between 1999 and 2000, the ''[[Cash for comment affair|Cash for comment]]'' investigation was conducted. Jones had been accused of contracting to have personal commercial support in exchange for favourable "unscripted" comments, principally for [[Telstra]] and [[Qantas]], during his radio show. The independent [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] TV show, ''Media Watch'', was heavily involved in exposing these practices.<ref>{{cite news|last=Needham|first=Kirsty|title=The voice of authority|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/15/1037080914916.html|access-date=7 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 November 2002|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125841/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/15/1037080914916.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Australian Broadcasting Authority]] finally decided that disclosure had to be made, hence the "Commercial Agreement Register" at the Jones portion of his station's website. (Jones was investigated along with John Laws from 2UE).<ref>{{cite web|title=2UE faced with tough disclosure rules|url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s98206.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=7 October 2012|date=7 February 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413114007/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s98206.htm|archive-date=13 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2004, another scandal broke after it was revealed the Chairman of the [[Australian Broadcasting Authority]], [[David Flint]], who had headed the cash for comment inquiries, had sent a stream of admiring letters to Jones.<ref>{{cite news
 |author       = Philippa McDonald
 |title        = Flint under fire for Jones letters
 |publisher    = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]
 |url          = http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1096061.htm
 |date         = 27 April 2004
 |access-date   = 3 January 2007
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080324221320/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1096061.htm
 |archive-date = 24 March 2008
 |url-status     = dead}}</ref> This called into question the impartiality of Flint, and the then Federal [[Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (Australia)|Minister for Communications]], [[Daryl Williams (politician)|Daryl Williams]], was embroiled in media speculation as to the future of Flint. With an inquiry imminent, Flint resigned. In an appearance on the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC's]] ''[[Enough Rope]]'', John Laws accused Jones of placing pressure on Prime Minister [[John Howard]] to keep Flint as head of the ABA, made comments that many viewers took to imply a sexual relationship between Jones and Flint and broadly hinted that Jones was homosexual like Flint, who is openly gay.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = John Laws interview transcript
 |publisher   = [[Enough Rope]]
 |date        = 3 May 2004
 |url         = http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1100812.htm
 |access-date  = 6 March 2007
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311073655/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1100812.htm
 |archive-date = 11 March 2007
 |url-status     = dead}}</ref>

===Cronulla riots===
In December 2005, in the lead-up to the [[2005 Cronulla riots|Cronulla riots]], Jones used his breakfast radio program to read out and discuss a widely circulated [[Short Message Service|text message]] that called on people to "Come to Cronulla this weekend to take revenge... get down to North Cronulla to support the Leb and wog bashing day". Media commentator [[David Marr (journalist)|David Marr]] accused Jones of inciting racial tensions and implicitly encouraging violence and vigilantism by the manner of his responses to callers even while he was verbally disapproving of them taking the law into their own hands.<ref>{{cite news|last=Marr|first=David|title=One-way radio plays by its own rules|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/oneway-radio-plays-by-its-own-rules/2005/12/12/1134236005956.html|access-date=7 October 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 December 2005|archive-date=7 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107031006/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/oneway-radio-plays-by-its-own-rules/2005/12/12/1134236005956.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 April 2007, the Australian broadcasting watchdog the [[Australian Communications and Media Authority]] (ACMA) found that the broadcaster 2GB and Jones had broadcast material (specifically comments made by Jones between 5 and 9 December 2005) that was "likely to encourage violence or brutality and to vilify people of Lebanese and Middle-Eastern backgrounds on the basis of ethnicity".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/alan-jones-breached-code-watchdog/2007/04/10/1175971070038.html |title=Jones rapped for pre-riot 'scum' remarks |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=10 April 2007 |access-date=10 April 2007 |archive-date=26 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626174904/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/alan-jones-breached-code-watchdog/2007/04/10/1175971070038.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21532575-2,00.html |title=Jones show incited violence, watchdog finds |work=news.com.au |date=10 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629195253/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C21532575-2%2C00.html |archive-date=29 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Alan Jones: I'm the person that's led this charge |first=David |last=Marr |work=[[The Age]] |date=13 December 2005 |access-date=6 March 2007 |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-i-led-this-charge/2005/12/12/1134236003153.html |location=Melbourne |archive-date=4 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304194239/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-i-led-this-charge/2005/12/12/1134236003153.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During his on-air rebuttal of the ACMA findings on 10 April 2007, Jones stated that by referring to his show as "''Breakfast with Alan Jones''", the Australian Communications and Media Authority had little credibility, as his show was actually known as "''The Alan Jones Show''". However, the 2GB website prior to this broadcast clearly showed the Jones program as being "''Breakfast with Alan Jones''";<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_homepage&id=1&Itemid=44|title=Breakfast with Alan Jones homepage|publisher=2GB Radio|date=10 April 2007|access-date=16 April 2007|archive-date=30 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430070303/http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_homepage&id=1&Itemid=44|url-status=live}}</ref> this was changed after the broadcast of Jones' rebuttal to be "''The Alan Jones Show''".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_homepage&id=1&Itemid=44|title=Alan Jones Show homepage |publisher=2GB Radio|date=16 April 2007|access-date=16 April 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070430070303/http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_homepage&id=1&Itemid=44| archive-date= 30 April 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

David Flint again defended Jones by appearing on Jones' morning show "to support his friend and to condemn the process that found him guilty. He told 2GB listeners that the vigilante movement existed at Cronulla long before Jones began broadcasting and that the ACMA findings amounted to a classic case of shoot the messenger. He said the complaints process was flawed because, unlike the [[Australian Press Council|Press Council]], Jones could not face or question his accusers".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/shock-and-awe/2007/04/13/1175971273202.html?page=4|title=Shock and awe|work=The Age|date=13 April 2007|access-date=19 April 2007|location=Melbourne|archive-date=27 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627084239/http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/shock-and-awe/2007/04/13/1175971273202.html?page=4|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal]] upheld a complaint of racial vilification against Jones and 2GB on 21 December 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adtjudgments/2009nswadt.nsf/f1a6baff573a075dca256862002912ec/5e78e4a70e578ee4ca25768f00169e3b?OpenDocument |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805132436/http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adtjudgments/2009nswadt.nsf/f1a6baff573a075dca256862002912ec/5e78e4a70e578ee4ca25768f00169e3b?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Trad v Jones & anor (No. 3) [2009] NSWADT 318 |access-date=28 December 2009 |date=21 December 2009 |publisher=Administrative Decisions Tribunal }}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2024}} 
 The tribunal said:<blockquote>His comments about "Lebanese males in their vast numbers" hating Australia and raping, pillaging and plundering the country, about a "national security" crisis, and about the undermining of Australian culture by "vermin" were reckless hyperbole calculated to agitate and excite his audience without providing them with much in the way of solid information.</blockquote>

Jones appealed the decision, but in October 2012 the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal dismissed his appeal, and upheld his conviction for inciting hatred and for vilification of Muslims.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-02/tribunal-rules-alan-jones-incited-hatred/4292052 |title=Tribunal rules Alan Jones incited hatred – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |newspaper=ABC News |date=2 October 2012 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010193405/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-02/tribunal-rules-alan-jones-incited-hatred/4292052 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jones apologised on-air for his remarks on 6 December 2012. However, on 12 December the Tribunal ruled that this apology was "an inadequate statement of wrongdoing" and ordered him to make another on-air apology during the week of 17 December, this time prescribing the words he was to read:
{{blockquote|On 28 April 2005, on my breakfast program on Radio 2GB, I broadcast comments about Lebanese males, including Lebanese Muslims. The comments were made following a Channel Nine television current affairs show about the conduct of young Lebanese men in Hickson Road at The Rocks. The Administrative Decisions Tribunal has found that my comments incited serious contempt of Lebanese males, including Lebanese Muslims. Those comments were in breach of the [[New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act]]. I apologise for making those comments, which I recognise were unlawful. I also apologise on behalf of Radio 2GB.<ref>{{cite news|title=Not good enough: Alan Jones ordered to apologise again|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/not-good-enough-alan-jones-ordered-to-apologise-again-20121213-2bbq3.html|access-date=13 December 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 December 2012|archive-date=14 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214100731/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/not-good-enough-alan-jones-ordered-to-apologise-again-20121213-2bbq3.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

===Contempt of court charges===
In 2007, Jones was found guilty of breaching the ''Children's (Criminal Proceedings) Act'' 1987 (NSW), by broadcasting the suppressed name of a juvenile witness in a murder trial.<ref name="conviction">{{Cite news|title=Magistrate makes example of Jones and records conviction|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 April 2007|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/magistrate-makes-example-of-jones-and-records-conviction/2007/04/20/1176697093029.html|access-date=21 April 2007|archive-date=23 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070423060918/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/magistrate-makes-example-of-jones-and-records-conviction/2007/04/20/1176697093029.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The deputy chief magistrate, Helen Syme, criticised Jones for not issuing an on-air apology to the boy he had named, and said that Jones' offence was "serious". The magistrate placed Jones on a nine-month good-behaviour bond and fined him $1000.<ref name="conviction" />

In February 2008, Jones lost an appeal against his conviction,<ref>{{cite news
 |title=Alan Jones loses appeal 
 |last=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]] 
 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald 
 |date=11 February 2008 
 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-loses-appeal/2008/02/11/1202578643589.html 
 |access-date=11 February 2008 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316104448/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-loses-appeal/2008/02/11/1202578643589.html 
 |archive-date=16 March 2008 
 |url-status=live 
}}</ref> but Jones's criminal conviction was quashed the following month. The judge presiding over the appeal, Judge Michael Finnane, said: "While it was no excuse from liability in law that Mr Jones relied on ''The Daily Telegraph'', the fact that he did, to some extent ameliorates the seriousness of the offence."<ref>{{cite news |first=Bellinda |last=Kontominas |title=Alan Jones conviction quashed |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-conviction-quashed/2008/03/27/1206207259746.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=27 March 2008 |archive-date=20 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420074848/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-conviction-quashed/2008/03/27/1206207259746.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> The judge confirmed Jones' guilt but dismissed the charge and annulled the conviction, saying it was "an honest mistake".<ref>{{cite news |title=Alan Jones wins child witness appeal |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/27/2200472.htm |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=27 March 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080507070721/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/27/2200472.htm| archive-date= 7 May 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Kovco comments===
In October 2007, [[NSW State Coroner]] [[Mary Jerram]] considered referring Jones and [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|''The Daily Telegraph'']] to the [[NSW Supreme Court]] for comments about the inquest into the death of Private [[Jake Kovco]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/0734_maryjerram.pdf|title=Media statement from Mary Jerram (NSW Coroner)|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110230651/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/0734_maryjerram.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jones said that assisting counsel John Agius had tried to persuade Kovco's mother into refusing a jury inquest, comments which Jerram said could prejudice the inquest.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jacobsen|first1=Geesche|title=Alan Jones in Kovco strife|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/jones-in-kovco-strife/2007/10/17/1192300807730.html|access-date=26 January 2017|quote=State Coroner Mary Jerram this morning said she would refer him, as well as The Daily Telegraph, to the NSW Supreme Court for possible action after reports last Friday.|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 October 2007|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202185517/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/jones-in-kovco-strife/2007/10/17/1192300807730.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s2066800.htm|title=Media Watch: Inquest Over An Inquest (22/10/2007)|date=22 October 2007|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426013025/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s2066800.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/jones-raises-ire-of-coroner-over-kovco/story-e6frg6o6-1111114663768|title=Jones Raises Ire of Coroner over Kovco|website=The Australian|access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> No charges were brought against Jones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-kovco-contempt-dropped/2007/12/14/1197568237900.html |title=Alan Jones 'Kovco contempt' dropped – National |work=Brisbane Times |date=14 December 2007 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110230651/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-kovco-contempt-dropped/2007/12/14/1197568237900.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Military trial commentary===
An episode of ABC's ''Media Watch'' was devoted to Jones' pre-trial comments on the charging of three Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news | first = Barry | last = Paul | title = All's not fair with Jones and war | date = 25 October 2010 | work = Media Watch | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url = http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3047599.htm | access-date = 26 October 2010 | archive-date = 28 October 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101028182113/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3047599.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> The commentators believed that if the case had already been convened, Jones' comments would have been in contempt of court. The charges against the soldiers were eventually dismissed at a pre-trial hearing.<ref>{{cite news | first = Tim | last = McCormack | title = Commandos finally get justice | date = 25 May 2011 | work = The Age | url = http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/commandos-finally-get-justice-20110524-1f2dl.html | access-date = 25 May 2011 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 27 May 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527073847/http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/commandos-finally-get-justice-20110524-1f2dl.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Breach of radio standards===
On 25 November 2011, the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that Jones had breached the commercial radio code of practice in his reporting of environmental issues. His reporting was found to lack accuracy and failed to allow other viewpoints to be heard. A decision on the penalty for this breach was reserved.<ref name="Kermond-2011">{{cite news | first = Clare | last = Kermond | title = Alan Jones Breached Radio Standards | url = http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/alan-jones-breached-radio-standards-acma-20111123-1nttb.html | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | access-date = 25 November 2011 | date = 23 November 2011 | archive-date = 25 November 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111125230705/http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/alan-jones-breached-radio-standards-acma-20111123-1nttb.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Climate change commentary===
On 15 June 2012, the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that Jones had breached the commercial radio code of practice in his reporting of environmental issues. This related to his claim that "human beings produce 0.001 per cent of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere". ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said that the watchdog was not penalising the licensee of 2GB, but was working with it to improve procedures.<ref>{{cite news | title = ACMA rules against Alan Jones on climate change | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-15/acma-rules-against-alan-jones-on-climate-change/4073048 | work = ABC News | access-date = 15 June 2012 | date = 15 June 2012 | archive-date = 15 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120615054150/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-15/acma-rules-against-alan-jones-on-climate-change/4073048 | url-status = live }}</ref> On 18 October 2012 ACMA ordered Jones to undergo factual accuracy training and employ a fact-checker.<ref name="Hall-2012" />

Jones responded to these claims on 19 October 2012 claiming that he had mistakenly claimed the 0.001 to be of all "carbon dioxide in the atmosphere" where it should have been "all gases in the atmosphere" and that he had repeated the correct and undisputed figure of 3 percent numerous times later that week and offered a correction.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Alan |title=A statement on ACMA |url=http://www.2gb.com/index2.php?option=com_newsmanager&task=view&id=14735 |publisher=2GB |access-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914033534/http://www.2gb.com/index2.php?option=com_newsmanager |archive-date=14 September 2012 }}</ref>

=== COVID-19 lockdown comments ===
Jones was a critic of former Victorian Premier [[Daniel Andrews]] and his government.<ref name="Meade-2021" /> During August 2020, Jones broadcast an editorial on his Sky News show in which he opposed [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia#Victoria|restrictions over COVID-19 within Victoria]], claiming the science did not support stronger regulations.<ref name="Meade-2021" /> An investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found Jones correctly quoted the science journal, but "misrepresented the research on the effectiveness of lockdowns" and wearing masks to restrict the spread of the virus.<ref name="Meade-2021" /> The Australian Communications and Media Authority made Jones issue a correction in January 2021.<ref name="Meade-2021">{{cite news|last=Meade|first=Amanda|title=Alan Jones forced to correct attack on Daniel Andrews that 'misrepresented' Covid research|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/30/alan-jones-forced-to-correct-attack-on-daniel-andrews-that-misrepresented-covid-research|agency=The Guardian|date=30 January 2021|access-date=9 February 2021|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Sexual assault allegations and arrest ==
In December 2023, a number of men accused Jones of indecent assault in an investigative report by [[Kate McClymont]] published by ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' and ''[[The Age]]''; Jones "vehemently denied" the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClymont |first=Kate |date=2023-12-06 |title='He'd go the grope': Alan Jones accused of indecently assaulting young men |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/he-d-go-the-grope-alan-jones-accused-of-indecently-assaulting-young-men-20231205-p5epai.html |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=6 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206215218/https://www.smh.com.au/national/he-d-go-the-grope-alan-jones-accused-of-indecently-assaulting-young-men-20231205-p5epai.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-07 |title=Alan Jones denies claims he indecently assaulted men during radio career |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/alan-jones-denies-claims-he-indecently-assaulted-men-during-radio-career/e63d1ede-a925-4cd9-826e-a8becacf7d29 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=www.9news.com.au}}</ref> In March 2024, NSW Police's Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate the alleged incidents,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=McSweeney |first=Jessica |date=2024-12-18 |title=Alan Jones breaks silence after entering not guilty plea |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/alan-jones-breaks-silence-after-entering-not-guilty-plea-20241218-p5kzad.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> which took place between 2001 and 2019.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Latest News - NSW Police Public Site |url=https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news_article?sq_content_src=+dXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMTE1MjE3Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE= |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.police.nsw.gov.au}}</ref>

On the morning of 18 November, Jones was arrested at his [[Circular Quay]] residence by strike force detectives.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClymont |first=Kate |date=2024-11-18 |title=Alan Jones arrested over allegations he indecently assaulted young men |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/alan-jones-arrested-over-allegations-he-indecently-assaulted-young-men-20241118-p5krdu.html |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=Alan Jones arrested over indecent assault allegations |url=https://7news.com.au/news/alan-jones-arrested-after-indecent-assault-allegations-c-16785917.amp |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=7NEWS |language=en}}</ref> He was initially charged with twenty-four offences against eight victims over two decades, including eleven counts of aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender, nine counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touch another person without consent and two counts of common assault.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/nov/18/alan-jones-arrested-alleged-indecent-assaults-ntwnfb | title=Alan Jones charged with 24 indecent assault and sexual touching offences against eight victims | publisher=[[Guardian Australia]] | date=18 November 2024 | accessdate=18 November 2024 | author=Ittimani, Luca and Lyons, Kate}}</ref> The youngest of the alleged victims was 17 years old at the time of the offense. Some knew Jones personally, some knew him in a professional context, and others had only just met Jones for the first time when the alleged abuse took place. The eleven counts of aggravated indecent assault relate to a former employee of Jones.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Ittimani |first=Luca |date=2024-11-18 |title=Alan Jones charged with two further offences against a ninth alleged victim |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/nov/19/alan-jones-charged-with-two-further-counts-of-assault-against-a-ninth-alleged-victim-ntwnfb |access-date=2024-12-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

Jones was granted conditional bail, with restrictions on his travel and on making contact with his alleged victims. He faced court on 18 December 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx27v4v1l5wo | title=Top Australian host charged with sexually abusing eight men | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=18 November 2024 | accessdate=18 November 2024 | author=Turnbull, Tiffanie}}</ref> On 19 November, Jones was charged with two further counts of assault with an act of indecency against a ninth alleged victim.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=Alan Jones hit with two more charges after ninth alleged victim comes forward |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/alan-jones-arrest-alan-jones-hit-with-two-more-charges-after-ninth-alleged-victim-comes-forward/47642fa0-5c5f-4da2-8c61-adc530811529 |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=www.9news.com.au}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name="ABC News"/> Before his court appearance on 18 December, Jones was charged with an additional eight counts of indecent assault against a tenth alleged victim,<ref name=":5" /> with the former broadcaster now facing thirty-four charges in total.<ref name=":1" /> Jones pled not guilty to the charges. In a prepared statement to the media after his first court appearance, Jones described the allegations as "baseless... or [distortions of] the truth", claiming "I am certainly not guilty, and I'll be presenting my account to a jury".<ref name=":5" />

In the wake of his arrest and the charges, Australian media figures weighed in, with [[Peta Credlin]] alleging unfair treatment, [[Andrew Bolt]] opining that "this could be one of the greatest falls from grace we have seen", and [[James Packer]] saying "Alan Jones is my friend and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Kate McClymont, Jessica McSweeney, Anne Hyland, Stephen Brook, Riley Walter, Jesinta |date=2024-11-19 |title=Gina Rinehart deletes mentions of Alan Jones; others carefully word reactions |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/gina-rinehart-deletes-mentions-of-alan-jones-others-carefully-word-reactions-20241119-p5krwa.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharp |first=Annette |date=2024-11-19 |title='He's my friend': James Packer stands by Alan Jones |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/radio/hes-my-friend-james-packer-stands-by-alan-jones/news-story/718ea33854fda01bda1f266ee3e179b0 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=news.com.au}}</ref> Openly gay media personality [[Josh Szeps]], who had worked as a junior producer on Jones' radio program, claimed that Jones had made unwanted advances towards him on several occasions, including attempts at sexual touching and kissing which were routinely rebuffed by Szeps, and that Jones had promoted him to a senior producer position "implausibly fast", likening the experience to a "[[casting couch]]". However, Szeps defended Jones, describing him as a "fiery, poetic, operatic whirlwind of a man" and the alleged incidents as "playful" and "excessively romantic".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walter |first=Riley |date=2024-11-22 |title=Media identity claims Alan Jones tried to touch his genitals and kiss him, but defends broadcaster |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/media-identity-claims-alan-jones-tried-to-touch-his-genitals-and-kiss-him-but-defends-broadcaster-20241122-p5ksw7.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 March 2025, Jones was charged with an additional count of assault with act of indecency relating to an 11th complainant, taking his charges to a total of 35 offences.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2025-03-07 |title=Alan Jones hit with new charges relating to alleged 11th victim |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-07/broadcaster-alan-jones-fresh-assault-charge-eleventh-victim/105023898?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Jones has never been married and has no children.<ref>{{cite book |last=Masters |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2fIICRoK_G0C&q=Mandawuy+Yunupingu+%22alan+jones%22+australian+year&pg=PA250 |title=Jonestown: The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-74175-156-7}}</ref> He resides in [[Sydney]].<ref name="Casey-2010"/> In 2003, Jones purchased a 27-hectare property in [[Fitzroy Falls, New South Wales|Fitzroy Falls]] for $2.3 million. It was sold by Jones in 2022.<ref name="Macken-2022">{{Cite web |last=Macken |first=Lucy |date=2022-11-28 |title=Alan Jones sells NSW Southern Highlands farm |url=https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/alan-jones-sells-southern-highlands-farm-discounted-from-17-5m-high-hopes-20221128-p5c1ty.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201023009/https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/alan-jones-sells-southern-highlands-farm-discounted-from-17-5m-high-hopes-20221128-p5c1ty.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Jones purchased an apartment in [[Circular Quay]] for $10.5 million.<ref name="Macken-2022" /> In 2021, he bought a riverfront house in [[Southport, Queensland]], for $12.25 million.<ref name="Macken-2022" />

=== Health issues ===
In July 2008, Jones underwent surgery for [[prostate cancer]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Louise |date=20 July 2008 |title=Jones has cancer operation |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/jones-has-cancer-operation/2008/07/19/1216163229719.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723031541/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/jones-has-cancer-operation/2008/07/19/1216163229719.html |archive-date=23 July 2008}}</ref> In December 2008, he had surgery to remove a [[Benign tumor|benign brain tumour]].<ref>{{cite news |date=20 December 2008 |title=Alan Jones brain tumour shock |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24826217-5001021,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125173805/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C24826217-5001021%2C00.html |archive-date=25 January 2009}}</ref> Jones had back surgery and neck operations in November 2016 which caused him to be off-air for four months.<ref name="backpain2">{{cite news |date=13 November 2018 |title=Alan Jones off the air indefinitely, taken to hospital for back pain |work=[[SBS News]] |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/alan-jones-off-the-air-indefinitely-taken-to-hospital-for-back-pain |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118104733/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/alan-jones-off-the-air-indefinitely-taken-to-hospital-for-back-pain |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2018, Jones was hospitalised for severe back pain and again was off-air.<ref name="backpain2" /> He underwent back surgery again in November 2022.<ref name="Macken-2022" />

==Jonestown==
{{main|Jonestown: The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones}}
''[[Jonestown: The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones]]'' ([[Allen & Unwin]]) is an [[unauthorised biography]] of Jones by Australian journalist [[Chris Masters (writer)|Chris Masters]]. Masters began Jonestown in 2002 after profiling Jones for an episode of the current affairs program ''[[Four Corners (Australian TV program)|Four Corners]]''. The book won the Australian Book Industry Awards, Australian Biography of the Year 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 2007 Australian Book Industry Awards |url=http://www.publishers.asn.au/emplibrary/ABIA_Winners_2007.pdf |work=Australian Biography of the Year 2007 |publisher=Australian Publishers Association |access-date=23 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616090212/http://www.publishers.asn.au/emplibrary/ABIA_Winners_2007.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2013 }}</ref> It reported on Jones' term as Senior English Master at The King's School, Parramatta,<ref name=smh-demons>{{cite news|title=The demons that drive Alan Jones|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alan-joness-demons/2006/10/20/1160851142104.html?page=fullpage|access-date=1 November 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=20 October 2006|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021230858/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alan-joness-demons/2006/10/20/1160851142104.html?page=fullpage|url-status=live}}</ref> and an incident in London in 1988 where he was arrested and charged for outraging public decency in London's public toilets, charges that were ultimately dropped.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Alan|title=Alan speaks out|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6bRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=2523,3037375|access-date=1 November 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 July 1989|archive-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817203239/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6bRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=2523,3037375|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|id=2599543|name=Alan Jones}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{Succession box
| before = [[Warren Ryan]]<br>1988–1990
| after = [[Wayne Pearce]]<br>1994–1999
| title = Coach<br>{{leagueicon|balmain tigers|size=18}}<br>[[Balmain Tigers]]
| years = 1991–1993
}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Bob Dwyer]]<br>1982–1984
| after = [[Bob Dwyer]]<br>1988–1996
| title = [[Australia national rugby union team coaches|Coach]]<br>{{flagicon|Australia}}<br>[[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]]
| years = 1984–1987
}}
{{succession box
| before = Bob Lane
| after = Bob Morris
| title = Coach<br />[[Manly RUFC|Manly Marlins]]
| years = 1983
}}
{{s-end}}

{{1984 Grand Slam Wallaby squad}}
{{Australia Squad 1987 World Cup}}
{{Balmain Tigers head coaches}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Alan}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of Worcester College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Australia national rugby union team coaches]]
[[Category:Australian agnostics]]
[[Category:Australian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Australian monarchists]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league administrators]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league coaches]]
[[Category:Australian rugby union coaches]]
[[Category:Australian schoolteachers]]
[[Category:Australian talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:Balmain Tigers coaches]]
[[Category:Conservative talk radio people]]
[[Category:Former 2GB presenters]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:People educated at Toowoomba Grammar School]]
[[Category:People from Queensland]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Sydney]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal]]
[[Category:Sky News Australia reporters and presenters]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:University of Queensland alumni]]