There has been a conflict with the new CEO of Channel Nine on an issue The bombshell report on Thursday exposed a cultural crisis within the organizationBut are maintaining silence on the allegations.
The investigation found widespread cases of misconduct and sexual harassment in the network’s newsroom.
Watch the video above: Nine’s CEO remains silent after report condemning the culture.
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independent investigator Found that abuse and harassment were rampant in the companyNine said, “There is a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment”
It comes after the sudden departure of the Nine Network’s long-serving news boss Darren Wick, who was accused of sexual harassment and abusing his power. He denies these allegations.
7NEWS reporter Anne Puller met with acting chief executive Matt Stanton on Friday, although he declined to answer her questions.
“Will heads turn today?” Pullar asked.
“Can you guarantee accountability to Nine employees? What will you do for the victims of the Nine? Have you promoted a culture of fear?”
He responded by asking him to back off, before saying: “Thanks very much, guys. Nice to meet you.”
Nine’s stars were not as quiet as their bosses on Friday morning, leading to the network’s meltdown on the Today show.
“What was found was heartbreaking and devastating,” Sarah Abo said.
“And there are concerns about whether those responsible will be held accountable.”
Karl Stefanovic said, “What was the point of speaking out if the criminals were not called out.”
While the report examined the company’s entire business – including its newspapers The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, its radio station and streaming service STAN – the new report was most scathing of Nine’s TV newsroom, with several employees The accounts detailed their experience of doing the work. Company.
“When I was in (location) (the staff) tried to groom me. He also touched my buttocks at the Christmas party and sometimes he would rub my legs under the table,” said a staff member.
“I saw him do it with other women.”
Another staff member was warned not to let a senior male employee touch “her breasts”.
Another employee said of her interactions with a male employee, “His comments about my body were constant.”
“He made me feel like I was just a piece of meat to be stared at, and he was trustworthy because he was an older man.
“Over time, it eroded my confidence. It just got away from him.”
Read the full interaction report on Channel Nine here
Other employees said that Nine’s culture “destroyed them as a human being”, left them “broken” and a “shell” or gave them “debilitating” anxiety.
“I was devastated,” said one former employee. “I left the newsroom after a year. By the time I left my soul was gone.”
If anyone complained, they were sent to what was known as “Punishment Island”.
“I have been at the company for a short time, but in my opinion there is a worrying culture of sexually inappropriate jokes among senior older men. Sexual threats are made against young women and I find this completely unacceptable. I will always call them,” said another.
The report acknowledged that some of the worst stories could not be included in the report because they would identify nine employees.
“Some of the more serious incidents of inappropriate workplace practices that Intersection heard about are not reflected in this report due to their potential anonymity,” they wrote.
Another said that it has become common to talk about bullying in nines.
“We used to talk about being bullied, harassed or publicly humiliated like you talk about the weather. “Now that I look back, I am horrified at how normalized it had become,” he said.
Media insiders respond
Although the behavior revealed in the report is not exclusive to the Nine Network, media insiders said the human stories were particularly shocking.
PR professional and former journalist Peter Wilkinson – who worked at Channel Nine until 2002 – said he had never seen anything as bad as the events recorded on Thursday in “20 years”.
“This is shocking. Like everyone else, I’m absolutely shocked and I’m really sorry for the staff,” he said.
“The important thing is to look after employees who are justifiably angry.
“I suspect this will require some quick steps by the board, including involving heads in management and perhaps some intense soul-searching in the board and possibly some changes there.
“It’s very difficult to change a culture without doing it. Some people can’t change.
“What has to happen is actually quite simple. It’s hard to decide which one to go.
“And the board will know who the criminals are and more importantly, the staff will know who the criminals are.
“And if he’s not fired or doesn’t go through some extraordinary training the employees will be angry for some time.”
Wilkinson also highlighted potential lawsuits following the report.
“It is quite common in situations like this for employees who feel stressed and treated poorly and have to take legal action.
“So there is a possibility, there is a possibility that lawyers will encourage employees who turn out to seek revenge through the courts.”
The best move for the company would be to act quickly, Wilkinson said.
“Once things are happening and people can see it, the people at Channel Nine, despite their anger, will have a much higher tolerance for the board and its behavior in responding to the 22 recommendations.
“But change must happen and in situations like this you want things to happen quickly, not drag on.
“Otherwise, disillusionment, anger, and feelings of not being heard persist.”
Nine’s new chairwoman Katherine West said on Thursday: “We are deeply sorry… I apologize unreservedly.”
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and consider the serious cultural issues that arise as an organisation,” West said.
“The behavior outlined in the report is unacceptable.
“Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct are not okay.
“This behavior has no place at Nine.”
Thursday’s report did not reveal the identities of the perpetrators and some stories were omitted due to identifying details.
Some of the perpetrators are believed to have already departed, and there are 22 recommendations to address the negative culture – including training, accountability and another external review in three years.
