triple j backs publication of Bali Nine poll

triple j has hit back at the Indonesian Government for suggesting its publication of a Roy Morgan Research poll about the death penalty leant weight to the impending execution of convicted Bali Nine drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

The poll, carried out over the Australia Day weekend and published by the station's Hack program on January 27, showed 52% of the 2,123 people who took part agreed that Australians convicted of drug trafficking in another country and sentenced to death should be executed. Indonesia's ambassador to Canberra, Nadjib Rifat Kesuma, and attorney-general Muhammad Prasetyo then referred to the poll's findings as justification that many Australians support the judicial killing of Chan and Sukumaran.

Hack presenter Tom Tilley (pictured) said in a statement: "It would be a dangerous precedent for journalists not to report these things because they are fearful of how politicians may react."

Tilley also reminded listeners that it is not uncommon for media outlets to use polling when reporting stories.

According to ABC, Greg Craven, vice-chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, holds triple j and those who took part in the poll partly responsible.

"If these two men really are executed then the radio station that commissioned the poll, the people who delivered that poll, and the people who answered that poll in the affirmative will know that they have had a part, no matter how small, in the death of two other people," he said.