Seven’s new boss has issued a grovelling apology to staff and vowed to do better ahead of an explosive investigation into the broadcaster’s working culture.
Seven West Media CEO and managing director Jeff Howard addressed all employees in a recent email, assuring them that the management team was reviewing its policies, procedures and culture.
The email comes ahead of a damning investigation into working practices at the troubled broadcaster by the ABC’s Four Corners, which is expected to air on Monday night.
More than 200 staff members were interviewed as part of the episode titled ‘Don’t Speak’, led by Four Corners reporter Louise Milligan.
Before the show, Mr Howard told staff that some of the issues to be addressed in the episode were “historical” ones that have already been addressed, The Telegraph newspaper reported.
“We understand you have been working on a story about Seven West Media for some time,” the email said.
‘Some of you may even have been invited to participate; unfortunately, it seems that some have taken up the offer.’
Mr Howard added that he was committed to building a “better media company” and regretted that some previous issues had not been adequately addressed.
Jeff Howard (pictured) apologised to Seven West Media staff in a lengthy email ahead of a Four Corners exposé on the network.
“If any of the issues you mention were not adequately addressed, I am disappointed; we should have done better and for that I feel sorry for those affected,” Howard wrote.
A synopsis, which was included alongside a promotional clip released by Four Corners last week, claimed that allegations of sexism and harassment are “frequent” at the network.
‘Channel Seven promotes itself as a family-friendly network, but a Four Corners investigation reveals it is a ‘second chance club’ for older men, described as a ‘degrading and soul-crushing’ workplace,’ the synopsis states.
Many employees have filed lawsuits against the network and many former employees have been gagged with confidentiality agreements.
Mr Howard said the network’s management is reviewing workplace policies and culture over some of the issues raised at the company.
“Several people who have displayed behaviour that does not reflect SWM values have already been expelled from the organisation,” he wrote.
‘I want to make it very clear that the actions of some individuals do not reflect the values, behaviour and attitude of the company as a whole, which is home to some of Australia’s best, hardest working and most passionate media professionals.’
Ms Milligan spoke to X last week to reveal the national broadcaster had been inundated with a number of complaints from former Channel 7 employees.
“The promotion has only been live for a few hours and many of Channel Seven’s complainants have already gotten in touch. Thank you and please bear with us as we respond to everyone,” she wrote.
The email from the newly appointed chief executive comes ahead of an explosive TV exposé set to air on ABC’s Four Corners about toxic workplace culture on Channel 7 (file image)
‘To be clear, these are whistleblowers against Channel Seven. That is, former Seven employees. Or whistleblowers against current Seven employees. Seven is not complaining.’
Mr Howard said additional context on the issues raised in the episode will be provided once the show airs on Monday night.
