Channel Seven bloodbath continues as senior Melbourne crime reporter is stood down – following several other high-profile layoffs
A third senior Channel Seven employee has been made redundant, following the recent sackings of network veterans Robert Ovadia and Andrew Frampton.
Veteran Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud was recently fired by the network.
“He is not part of our plans for the future,” Channel Seven said in a statement.
Baud, who started working at Seven in December 2010, was reportedly told on Wednesday by outgoing news director Shaun Menegola that they no longer needed him, reports the Herald Sun.
The resignation was reportedly unexpected, with Baud being told to leave while working on a story, and immediately left the network’s Docklands headquarters.
A third senior Channel Seven employee has been made redundant, following the recent sackings of network veterans Robert Ovadia and Andrew Frampton
Melbourne’s new news director Chris Salter and the network’s head of news and current affairs Anthony DeCeglie are reportedly planning to lay off a significant number of employees in their Victorian newsroom.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
Baud’s resignation comes just a week after it was revealed that senior Seven journalist Robert Ovadia had also stepped down while an allegation of inappropriate behavior by him towards a woman is investigated.
Veteran Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud (pictured) was recently fired by the network
“He is not part of our plans moving forward,” the network said in a statement. Baud started working with Seven in December 2010 and was reportedly told on Wednesday by their news director that the network no longer needed him, the Herald Sun reports.
However, a spokesperson for Seven confirmed that the veteran presenter had been placed on ‘leave of absence’ while the investigation continues.
‘Robert Ovadia is on leave. Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by Ovadia,” the spokesperson said.
Ovadia has reportedly hired a lawyer to represent him while the investigation is conducted.
Senior Channel Seven journalist Robert Ovadia (pictured) has also been placed on leave by the network as investigations into workplace misconduct continue
“Seven has informed me that no current or former colleagues have filed a complaint against me,” Ovadia said in a statement The age.
‘As far as I know, I have not been fired by the company. Any suggestion that I have acted inappropriately at any time is false and malicious and will be defended.”
Ny Breaking Australia does not suggest that any allegations of inappropriate behavior against Ovadia are true.
Elsewhere, Patrick Dybell recently took over as chief of staff of the Sydney newsroom from the ‘highly respected’ Andrew Frampton, who had held the role for six years before his sudden departure.
Last week the Herald Sun reported that Frampton “was called to a meeting on Thursday, June 6 and left the building shortly thereafter.”
“Congratulations to Patrick Dybell who will take on the crucial role of chief of staff,” reads an email to all staff from Sydney News director Neil Warren.
“I would like to thank outgoing Chief of Staff Andrew Frampton for his many years of loyal service to 7News.
‘Andrew’s departure comes at a time when we are reorganizing towards a digital-first newsroom, and that was entirely amicable and on good terms.
“We wish him all the best in his next venture, which we are confident he will excel in.”