Predatory behavior was ‘known and tolerated’ at Channel Nine, staff say | Nine entertainments

Predatory behavior was “known and tolerated” within Channel Nine for years, say employees who fear an independent review of the channel will not lead to meaningful change.

Employees alleged this week that there was a toxic culture within Nine’s television newsroom and across the organization.

Former director of news and current affairs Darren Wick abruptly left Nine in March after 29 years with the company following a formal complaint from a staff member.

Since then, other allegations have been reported in the media regarding Wick’s inappropriate behavior towards female colleagues, as well as accusations that he led a toxic culture in the newsroom.

Wick has not yet responded publicly to the allegations and they have not yet been verified.

A Nine source, speaking anonymously to Guardian Australia, claimed predatory behavior by some members of the organization was “known and tolerated” and that there appeared to be “some sort of protection racket” at the against staff whose behavior was excused, minimized or dismissed. . It is understood the allegation of predatory behavior does not concern Wick.

People did not want to speak out because they knew nothing would be done and they would be the ones to suffer the consequences, the source said.

“We’ll see, maybe this will be the cultural change we need, but after years of this we don’t have much confidence anymore.”

Another source claimed “bullying and harassment” within Nine had been “brushed under the rug”.

The source claimed that some staff who bullied and acted inappropriately towards female staff were protected by management above them, who “act as a protector”.

Fiona Dear, who replaced Wick as director of news and current affairs, told a newsroom meeting this week that she knew what it was like to be faced with a inappropriate behavior in the workplace and promised that “the power plays stop today.”

“I worked in the newsroom during that time,” Dear told staff.

“I know what it’s like to decide to take another taxi, to walk away rather than say something, to change tables. I know why you didn’t say anything at the time.

In an email to staff this week, Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby said it was “vital that we address any failure”.

“Recent reporting detailing alleged serious failures of leadership in TV news makes it clear to me that more work needs to be done to ensure we have a safe and inclusive workplace across Nine,” he said. he writes.

He said reports and “internal feedback” within Nine had “clearly shown that we need to accelerate the work we are doing to build a culture of respect and trust”.

Sneesby said Nine would commission an external review into “behaviors and concentration of power that have undermined trust and fairness” within the company’s television newsrooms.

Nine would also set up an external formal complaints line for people to lodge complaints, he said.

News Corp reported that Wick received a $1 million compensation package when he left Nine, despite management being aware of the allegations.

Nine has not confirmed this figure, but it is understood a payment would have included entitlements arising from Wick’s 29 years of employment with the company, including long-term leave and vacation time.

A Nine spokesperson confirmed Wick had received a payment, which was managed through the company’s governance processes.

The payment was not approved by Nine’s board, chaired by former federal treasurer Peter Costello, but was approved by Sneesby, they confirmed.

The spokesperson said the company takes “all allegations of inappropriate conduct seriously.”

“There is a review in place. We encourage anyone with concerns to come forward.

Further comment has been requested from Nine.