Channel Nine has warned staff that its long-awaited independent report into the network’s allegedly toxic editorial culture will be made public on Thursday – just a week before the broadcaster tries to wow advertisers with its annual ‘up fronts’.
The embattled media company’s acting boss, Matt Stanton, said the company would inform staff of the findings of the external audit – carried out by culture company Intersection – before it was made public on Nine’s website.
The independent investigation was commissioned by Nine’s former chief 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 led the company’s news department for 13 years, left the company in March after allegations of sexual harassment, drunken lasciviousness and seriously inappropriate behavior.
His departure – and the company’s handling of the allegations – sparked a company-wide crisis, as several big names spoke out in support of women and demanded change.
For example, Karl Stefanovic called an impromptu meeting in June with network staff, including fellow Today stars Sarah Abo, Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell, to discuss the “toxic culture.”
Stefanovic is said to have told his colleagues during the powerful speech that men must do better, as he praised the network’s female employees, describing them as the “heart and soul” of the media company.
Wick’s departure and the subsequent reckoning across the company have also led to an exodus of senior managers, including Mr Sneesby himself, who resigned last month.
Karl Stefanovic (pictured with Today show co-star Sarah Abo) called an impromptu meeting with network staff in June to discuss the ‘toxic culture’
Pictured is nine-star Georgie Gardner
His departure came after former Nine chairman Peter Costello also resigned from the company in the wake of the scandal after allegedly punching a reporter from The Australian to the ground after being approached for comment at Canberra airport about the saga.
Although the report was initially tasked with examining the culture of the company’s television 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 leading stars submitted submissions to the review – along with their on-screen colleagues – and the network’s senior executives have been eagerly awaiting information about the complaints.
Ny Breaking Australia is aware of numerous confidential complaints filed against some of the Nine’s most senior male and female incumbent executives.
However, it is believed that the report will not make negative findings against specific individuals, but will instead provide a ‘big picture’ snapshot of cultural issues that the company needs to address internally.
In an internal email to all staff on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Stanton said additional support staff would be on hand to comfort staff if needed in the wake of the findings’ release – 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,” Mr. Stanton told staff in the email.
The subsequent company-wide reckoning has also led to an exodus of senior executives, including CEO Mike Sneesby (pictured), who resigned last month.
In an internal email to all staff on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Stanton said additional support staff would be on hand to comfort staff if necessary following the release of the findings – although it is understood he is not yet familiar with the content of the review (photo)
‘While we recognize the interest from some external stakeholders, we wanted to ensure that our people heard directly from us about the Intersection report and have scheduled an all-staff briefing tomorrow.
‘We understand that completing Intersection’s assessment may be a challenging time for some of our team members and have made arrangements for our Employee Assistance Program, Converge, to be on-site at multiple locations over the next five business days for any confidential discussions or support that you 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 provided with advice and support pending the findings.
A second email has been sent to all Nine employees who took part in Intersection’s research to individually inform them of the findings and provide them with additional support.
“Dear Review Participant, This email is to let you know that our report on the independent Review of Nine Entertainment culture will be submitted to the organization tomorrow, Thursday, October 17,” the email read.
“We understand that the report’s findings will be shared with all employees later today.
‘We would like to express our sincere gratitude for trusting your experiences and recognizing that sharing them has not been easy.
‘Your experiences have helped shape the report and its recommendations, and for that we thank you.
‘It can be distressing to recall your own experiences of inappropriate behavior in the workplace, or to hear the experiences of others.
‘Don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you need it.’
The independent investigation was commissioned by Nine’s former chief 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 publication of the findings comes at a difficult time for Nine, just a week before the company presents its upcoming schedule to potential advertisers during its ‘Upfront’ presentation.
While the event is usually a wine-soaked gala evening, it will instead move to a luncheon in Sydney’s Carriageworks precinct next Thursday.
Wick is said to have drunkenly groped a dozen women on the network.
Despite this, he reportedly received a million-dollar handshake when he left the company in March.
The self-confessed alcoholic was also allowed to return to work in 2021 after driving at more than four times the legal limit.