Media company Nine Entertainment has admitted staff have experienced “trauma” following allegations of “misuse of power and inappropriate behaviour” among leadership in its newsrooms.
It comes after the media company’s chief executive earlier this week acknowledged “serious” claims of “alleged inappropriate behaviour” at the network by former senior news boss Darren Wick.
In a letter to all staff on Thursday evening, obtained by the ABC, Nine wrote “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”.
“We recognise we need to do more,” the letter, signed by the chair of the Nine board Peter Costello, chief people officer Vanessa Morley and chief executive Mike Sneesby, said.
They announced that all staff would be required to complete refreshed sexual harassment prevention training by June 30.
It also shed more light of an external review of the television news and current affairs division, including that a key component will include confidential interviews with current and former staff.
It will be conducted by consulting firm Intersection, which specialises in creating safe and respectful workplaces.
On Monday, Mr Sneesby wrote to staff about an official complaint made against Mr Wick, who resigned in March after 13 years as the head of news and current affairs.
Mr Sneesby acknowledged several recent media reports in which current and former Nine staff had accused him of inappropriate behaviour at work functions and public events.
“Recent reports that detail alleged serious failings of leadership in television news clearly tells me more works needs to be done to ensure we have a safe and inclusive workplace throughout Nine,” Mr Sneesby wrote.
Nine leadership ‘united’
Nine Entertainment also announced that in late June it would conduct a survey to measure the prevalence of sexual harassment, bullying and inappropriate workplace behaviours, and to gather information about reporting and potential barriers to doing so.
It assured Nine staff that anonymised findings of the report will be shared with them.
The report findings will include recommendations for change.
“It is critical we face up to any failings with integrity and create a workplace that is respectful and positive for all,” the executives wrote last night.
They thanked those who had come forward to share their experiences and for showing courage.
“The conversations we have had in recent days have made it clear that we need to accelerate the work we are doing and to build a culture of respect and trust,” Mr Costello, Ms Morley and Mr Sneesby said.
“This includes everyone feeling safe to raise concerns and to speak up when they see something inappropriate happening in the workplace.”
They insisted the Nine leadership team was “united” with working with the board to achieve those goals.
Staff have been encouraged to report issues through a dedicated hotline service which came online yesterday.
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