RadioLive hosts Willie Jackson and John Tamihere have been taken off air after their disastrous interview with an alleged friend of a Roast Busters victim. The radio DJs are under fire for “victim blaming.”

Earlier in November, an 18-year-old woman called Amy rang the “Willie and JT Show” to discuss the notorious group, members of which boasted about having sex with drunk underage girls before shaming them on Facebook. She’s friends with one of the boys’ victims.

But rather than sympathise with the victims, Jackson and Tamihere have blamed them instead, even downplaying the actions of the Roast Busters members as “mischief.”

When Amy called the Roast Busters members as rapists, the hosts appeared to have laughed at her, reasoning out, “Well if some of the girls have consented that doesn’t make them rapists, right?”

The RadioLive hosts also asked Amy what age she had lost her virginity, and questioned whether the alleged victims were willing drinkers.

The interview was met with outrage on social media, calling for the hosts’ resignation from the show immediately. Commenters online called Jackson and Tamihere’s cavalier treatment of the subject the “worst” ever, with some saying that they are part of the reason why many rape victims remain quiet of their ordeal.

Since the interview aired, the show has lost at least four advertisers, thanks in part to efforts of blogger Giovanni Tiso, who contacted companies that advertised on the pair’s show, asking them to reconsider their support. Freeview, AA Insurance, ANZ, and Yellow have all withdrawn their support of the program until further notice.

MediaWorks, the parent company of RadioLive, would not comment on their loss of advertisers, but “would like to reiterate that we in no way condone the actions of the ‘Roast Busters’ or any violence against women. We apologise unreservedly for any offence or distress caused to listeners, clients, or others by Willie and JT’s interview with Amy.”

But even with the station’s apology, more advertisers are still fleeing the show and the entire RadioLive network.

Vodafone, Telecom, Countdown, and Briscoes have suspended their advertising contract with all RadioLive shows as well, according to NZ Herald.

Jackson and Tamihere have fronted a commercial-free show on Friday following the withdrawal of sponsors. They were supposed to continue running without advertisers until November 15, but it turned out their last day on air became effective on Monday.

On their show, Tamihere said, “This will be our last show for RadioLive for this year. We will be taking the next few weeks to review what happened last week with the management and agree what action needs to be taken.

“We do not condone in any way and did not intend to blame the victims. Rape is a terrible crime and the victims who come forward deserve support and respect.”

He added that they “deeply regret” the comments they made, apologising to their advertisers as well for the negative feedback that they had to deal with their businesses being associated with their show.

MediaWorks announced that they had put all non-news coverage on RadioLive under extra scrutiny following the uproar the show has made.

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