Triple J is asking listeners to share their thoughts on when the Hottest 100 should be held, after some intense criticism of the radio station’s decision to broadcast the countdown on January 26.
Those opposed to airing one of the nation’s most recognisable cultural institutions on Australia Day believe it’s pretty distasteful to celebrate music on the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival, which marked a fundamental disruption of Indigenous culture.
The issue came to a head late last year, with a slew of artists, industry figures, and regular music-loving Aussies saying that there’s no reason for the Hottest 100 to be held on a day which commemorates such a traumatic date for Australia’s first peoples.
The countdown still took place on January 26 this year.
Now, the broadcaster states “over the past 10 months we’ve been consulting with a range of people, musicians, community leaders and representative groups on their opinions of Australia Day and the implications of holding the Hottest 100 on that day.”
Asking for opinions from listeners is the next step in that process, and Triple J states responses will “help shape our decision, alongside the perspectives and learnings from other stakeholders we have spoken to.”
Here’s an example of the kind of question the survey asks:
Respondents have until August 9 to plug their responses in. Triple J says the results of the survey, and any stance on the issue moving forward, will be announced “in the coming months.”
The survey can be accessed HERE.
