Channel Nine has warned staff that the long-awaited independent report into the network’s allegedly toxic newsroom culture will be made public on Thursday, just a week before the broadcaster attempts to shock advertisers with its ‘fronts’. ‘annual.
The embattled media company’s interim boss, Matt Stanton, said the company would brief staff on the findings of the external audit, carried out by workplace culture firm Intersection, before it was made public on Nine’s website .
The independent investigation was commissioned by former Nine boss Mike Sneesby in June, following a series of damaging allegations about the network’s disgraced head of news and current affairs, Darren Wick.
Wick, who had led the company’s news division for 13 years, left the company in March following allegations of sexual harassment, drunken lewd conduct and serious inappropriate behavior.
Her departure, and the company’s handling of the allegations, sparked a company-wide crisis as several big-name stars spoke out in support of the women and demanded change.
For example, Karl Stefanovic called an impromptu meeting with network staff, including fellow Today stars Sarah Abo, Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell, to discuss “toxic culture” in June.
Stefanovic reportedly told colleagues that “men need to do better” at Nine during the powerful speech as he praised the network’s female employees, describing them as the “heart and soul” of the media company.
Wick’s departure and subsequent company-wide reckoning have also led to an exodus of senior executives, including Sneesby himself, who resigned just last month.
Karl Stefanovic (pictured with Today show co-star Sarah Abo) called an impromptu meeting with network staff to discuss “toxic culture” in June.
Pictured is Nine star Georgie Gardner.
His departure came after former Nine chairman Peter Costello also stood down from the company in the wake of the scandal after allegedly throwing a journalist from The Australian to the ground after he was approached for comment on the saga. at Canberra airport.
While the report was initially tasked with investigating the culture of the company’s TV newsrooms under Wick, it has since been expanded to cover Nine’s entire media empire, including its newspaper and radio divisions.
It is understood that many of the network’s top stars made submissions for the review, along with their on-screen colleagues, and that senior executives at the network have been anxiously waiting to be informed about the complaints.
Daily Mail Australia is aware of numerous confidential complaints lodged against some of the Nine’s most senior male and female executives.
However, it is believed that the report will not draw adverse conclusions against any particular individual and will instead provide an overview of cultural issues that the company needs to address internally.
In an internal email to all staff on Wednesday afternoon, Stanton said additional support staff would be available to comfort staff if necessary following the announcement of the findings, although it is understood he is not yet familiar with the content of the review.
“The review was a comprehensive process and represents an important step for us as we work to strengthen our workplace culture,” Stanton told staff in the email.
The subsequent company-wide reckoning has also led to an exodus of senior executives, including chief executive Mike Sneesby (pictured), who resigned just last month.
In an internal email sent to all staff on Wednesday afternoon, Stanton said additional support staff would be available to comfort staff if necessary following the announcement of the findings, although it is understood he is not yet familiar with the contents. from the review (pictured).
‘While we recognize interest from some external stakeholders, we wanted to ensure our people hear directly from us about the Intersection report and have planned a briefing tomorrow for all employees.
‘We understand that the completion of the review by Intersection may be a challenging time for some of our team members and we have arranged for our Employee Assistance Program, Converge, to be on site in several locations over the next few years. five business days for any confidential discussion. or support you may need.
“The review was a comprehensive process and represents an important step for us as we work to strengthen our workplace culture.”
Staff have been offered advice and support in anticipation of the findings.
A second email was sent to all Nine staff involved in the Intersection investigation to separately notify them of the findings and offer additional support.
“Dear Review Participant, This email is to inform you that our report on the culture of independent Review of Nine Entertainment will be sent to the organization tomorrow, Thursday, October 17,” the email states.
‘It is our understanding that the findings of the report will be shared with all employees later that day.
‘We want to express our most sincere gratitude for trusting us with your experiences and recognizing that sharing them was not easy.
‘Your experiences have helped shape the report and its recommendations, and we thank you for that.
‘Recalling your own experiences of inappropriate behavior in the workplace or hearing the experiences of others can be distressing.
“Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.”
The independent investigation was commissioned by former Nine boss Mike Sneesby in June, following a series of damaging allegations about the network’s disgraced head of news and current affairs, Darren Wick (pictured).
The release of the findings comes at a difficult time for Nine, coming just a week before it shows its upcoming calendar to potential advertisers at its ‘Upfront’ presentation.
While the event is usually a wine-soaked gala evening, next Thursday it will change to a lunch at Sydney’s Carriageworks venue.
Wick, while intoxicated, is alleged to have groped a dozen women online.
Despite this, he received a million-dollar handshake when he left the company in March.
The self-described alcoholic was also allowed to return to work in 2021 after being caught behind the wheel at more than four times the legal limit.