Nine Entertainment has acknowledged “the trauma” caused by alleged acts of bullying, misuse of power and sexual harassment in its newsrooms and conceded to staff it needs to “do more” to make it a safe place to work.
In an all-staff email sent late on Thursday, Nine outlined its response to widespread reporting of predatory behaviour, bullying and sexual harassment by senior executives across the company.
Embattled chief executive Mike Sneesby was listed as a signatory to the email alongside chair of the Nine board, Peter Costello, and Nine’s chief people officer, Vanessa Morley.
The email conceded some employees had been traumatised by their treatment in Nine newsrooms.
“It is important we all acknowledge the trauma some of you have experienced in the past, and the distress and frustration the substance of these reports has caused.”
Nine has been rocked by allegations of a toxic culture within its television newsroom and the broader organisation.
Long-serving former news and current affairs director Darren Wick abruptly left the company in March after a formal complaint from a staff member.
Further allegations have since been reported in the media of inappropriate behaviour by Wick towards female colleagues – often reportedly fuelled by alcohol – and also accusations that he led a culture of bullying and intimidation in the newsroom.
Nine newspapers reported this week that Adrian Foo, the former head of communications for Nine Entertainment’s streaming service Stan, left the organisation in April, weeks after an investigation was launched into allegations made by at least five current or former staff of bullying and physical contact “that made staff uncomfortable”. Guardian Australia has contacted Foo for comment.
A Nine source, speaking anonymously to Guardian Australia, alleged that predatory behaviour by some in the organisation was “known and tolerated” and that there appeared to be “a kind of protection racket” being run for staff whose behaviour was excused, minimised or dismissed. It is understood the allegation of predatory behaviour does not relate to Wick.
People would not speak out because they knew nothing would be done and they would be the ones to suffer the consequences, the source claimed.
“We will see, maybe this will be the cultural change we need, but after years of this we don’t have much faith.”
Another source alleged “bullying and harassment” inside Nine was “swept under the rug”.
In its email sent on Thursday, Nine said it had commissioned an external independent review to “examine the recent reports that detail alleged serious failings of leadership in television news and current affairs included misuse of power and inappropriate behaviour”.
The review, to be conducted by workplace consultancy Intersection, will include confidential, voluntary interviews with current and former news and current affairs staff. Kate Jenkins, the former federal sex discrimination commissioner, works for Intersection.
Nine has also set up a dedicated hotline – to run from 7am to midnight – for all current and former employees “to report any experiences they have had in relation to sexual harassment or any other inappropriate behaviour, including the misuse of power”.
All Nine staff are required to complete new sexual harassment prevention training by the end of June, and the company will run an organisation-wide anonymous survey “to measure the prevalence of sexual harassment, bullying and other inappropriate workplace behaviours”.
The email told staff it was committed to reform the network’s culture.
“It is critical we face up to any failings with integrity and create a workplace that is respectful and positive for all.
“We recognise we need to do more. We are committed to driving actual and sustainable change to make Nine a place we are proud of.”
The email said Nine’s leadership was “united with the board”. The board had discussed the proposed responses, and had “expressed full support”.
