A former Channel Seven executive secretary whose shocking television interview was mysteriously edited out of an investigation into the network’s workplace culture at the last minute has broken her silence on the story.
Amber Harrison recently spoke with ABC investigative journalist Louise Milligan for a three-hour interview for the Four Corners debut, which aired Monday night.
The episode, titled ‘Don’t Speak’, addressed allegations of sexism, misogyny and bullying, which the programme claims are ‘common’ at Seven.
But the interview with Ms. Harrison did not make it into the final cut of the 50-minute episode.
On Tuesday evening, she told Ny Breaking Australia that she felt her participation was important, especially as she was not allowed to speak freely due to a strict ban.
“Despite this, I spoke to Louise Milligan within the legal limits imposed on me,” she said.
‘However, it was surprising and strange that this was not discussed in the program at all’.
Ms Harrison said it was “strange” that the interview was not included on air, despite it featuring in a promo for the episode released by the ABC last week.
Amber Harrison (pictured) was surprised that her interview with Louise Milligan for Four Corners was not televised
‘This omission left an important story untold, especially given the hype surrounding the show and the high calibre of journalism Louise Milligan is known for.’
“The fact that my interview, which could have highlighted the point of ‘not speaking’, was omitted is intriguing, especially as the decision not to include it was not explained in the programme.”
“There is a much bigger story here that is not being shared.”
Ms. Harrison also shared an Instagram Story on Tuesday night about a brutal interaction she had with a social media user on X on Monday, before the episode aired.
“The will I or won’t I be in Four Corners viewing snacks have been selected. Either way, I can’t wait,” she wrote.
“Nobody forced you to smoke cocaine with the boss,” the social media user responded to her post.
Ms Harrison hit back, saying: “No one forced you to be angry but here we are,” before captioning the sassy dig in the Instagram story.
“Possibly unnecessary. But hey…still,” she wrote.
Ms Harrison hit the headlines in December 2016 for her affair with former Channel Seven CEO Tim Worner, and was sacked over alleged misuse of credit card details.
The former executive secretary was flown from Melbourne to Sydney to take part in the Four Corners interview, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
It is believed that Channel Seven has served a legal notice on the ABC requesting it to remove part of her interview, which was shown in the promotional clip.
The ABC complied with legal requirements and the interview segment with Ms Harrison was deleted.
Ms Harrison shared an Instagram story on Tuesday night about a brutal interaction she had with a social media user on X on Monday before the episode aired (pictured)
Amber Harrison broke her silence on Tuesday after her interview with Four Corners didn’t make the final cut
The ABC made no mention of Ms Harrison or Mr Worner in the episode and did not disclose why her interview was edited out of the promo clip.
“Given the expectations of the program and the quality of journalism we expected, it is surprising that the elephant in the room – why I was not included, nor the names of the people who run the company – was not mentioned. It feels like a major piece of the puzzle has been left out,” Harrison said.
“This decision left an important story untold that could have highlighted the consequences of expressing criticism.”
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Channel Seven and the ABC for further comment.
Channel Seven has obtained a court order prohibiting Ms Harrison from disclosing confidential information.
The injunction, granted by the New South Wales Supreme Court in 2017, prohibits Ms Harrison from making any public comments or statements that could bring the network into disrepute.
Despite the ruling, Ms Harrison said her decision to speak to Ms Milligan fell within the limits of the suppression order.
Ms Harrison said the mysterious omission from her interview did little to discredit the former employees, who bravely spoke out despite considerable opposition.
“Their bravery is in stark contrast to the tactics and decision not to air my interview,” she told Ny Breaking Australia.
‘I understand the complexities involved, but the absence of my interview in the final programme raises questions about the narrative being formed.
‘Given the calibre of journalism associated with Louise Milligan, it is unexpected that an important aspect – the reason for my exclusion – has not been discussed.
The episode, titled ‘Don’t Speak’, revealed allegations of sexism, misogyny and bullying, which the programme claimed were ‘rampant’ at Channel 7 (pictured)
According to ABC, more than 200 employees were interviewed for the episode, who spoke out about an alleged toxic work environment at Channel Seven.
Former reporters alleged that the network’s top brass sexually harassed and verbally abused staff.
The Four Corners episode examined the heavily male-dominated work environment that has resulted in female employees being silenced.
Channel Seven said in a statement that individuals who “displayed behaviour inconsistent with Seven’s values have been removed from the organisation.”
‘Under new management, we have refreshed and re-communicated our policies and procedures. We encourage all Seven members to speak up about behavior that is inconsistent with Seven’s values.’