During his address to the Melbourne Press Club this Tuesday, Anthony De Ceglie, the director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief at Seven West Media, presented a new vision focused on creating a more positive workplace culture within the company’s newsrooms.
De Ceglie, who is keenly aware of the challenges facing modern journalism, is set to implement a straightforward yet powerful policy — a “no dickheads” approach. This project, designed to eliminate toxic behaviour, reflects a growing recognition that workplace culture is paramount to productivity and creativity. “It only ever takes one toxic person to disrupt an entire team,” he said, emphasising the urgent need to address such issues before they fester and undermine the entire organisation.
De Ceglie highlighted that the impact of a single negative influence can ripple throughout a newsroom, likening it to a “cancer” that infects the whole staff. His commitment to creating a healthier environment is not just about improving morale — it’s about ensuring that Seven West Media can continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
He elaborated on the leadership philosophy of Seven Group CEO Ryan Stokes, whom he described as a visionary leader with an “owner’s mindset.” This philosophy includes ten principles, such as prioritising “doers over delegators” and valuing “pace over analysis-paralysis.” Among these, De Ceglie expressed a particular affinity for the principle that “everything in leadership is personal.” This insight serves as a reminder that effective leadership requires authentic connections and accountability.
Beyond internal culture, De Ceglie did not shy away from discussing broader industry challenges. He made a passionate case for the Albanese Government to abolish an “archaic” broadcast tax that, according to him, costs the three major commercial TV stations a staggering $45 million annually. “The Government acts like newsrooms are still bathing in the rivers of gold,” he said, reiterating the financial strain this outdated policy places on journalism and, by extension, on Australian democracy.
The industry will be watching closely as Seven West Media takes these crucial steps forward.