Seven West Media has “noted” the issues raised by last night’s ABC’s Four Corners investigation into a Seven workplace that was described by staff as “degrading” and “soul crushing.”
Seven said it is concerned about allegations of poor behaviour and “any mistreatment of employees.”
“A number of matters raised represent old issues that have been well aired and health with, in some cases many years ago,” the statement reads.
“A number of people who have displayed behaviour not reflective of SWM’s values have already been removed from the organisation.
“We encourage all Seven West Media team members to call out any behaviour that does not reflect our values. Whistle-blower protections are in place and are regularly re-emphasised with all staff.
“Our focus is to build a stronger culture that enables our great people to thrive, and where unacceptable behaviour is not tolerated.”
The Four Corners program spoke to more than 200 people for the story, including current staff who spoke out while on Seven’s payroll. One said there is “a desperate need for change at both Seven and in the broader commercial television industry.”
Former Seven Perth presenter Mark Gibson was featured on the program, revealing he was one of multiple Seven Perth staff who complained about the behaviour of former WA news director Shaun Menegola.
Gibson claimed he witnessed him being “very irrational, often aggressive, verbally abusive, bullying, harassing, belittling.”
Menegola’s contract as news director was not renewed in 2011, and in a statement to Four Corners, he acknowledged there were staff complaints that were “addressed and resolved years earlier”, but said, “my departure from 7 Perth in 2011 was in no way related” to those complaints.
The program also spoke to a former Nine reporter, Mia Brankov, who worked under Menegola when he moved to Channel Nine as news director in 2013. She told Four Corners she experienced similar behaviour to that which Gibson referenced.
After leaving Nine, Menegola returned to Seven at the end of 2018, when he was hired as Seven Melbourne’s news director.
“How on earth could he be rehired? He had a litany of complaints against him. It is beyond belief,” Gibson said.
Staff from the Melbourne newsroom told Four Corners that Menegola’s behaviour reportedly “mellowed” during his time there.
Menegola left Seven Melbourne in April, saying at the time of his departure: “It’s entirely my decision and one I’ve been thinking about for a long time. It’s not one driven by anything else other than the fact that I’m looking to take a break to recharge and reboot – and to spend some time in my home state [Western Australia] with family.”
Spotlight EP Mark Llewellyn and former director of news and current affairs Craig McPherson also left the network after Seven’s Spotlight program became embroiled in Bruce Lehrmann’s failed defamation battle against 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.
See also: Bruce Lehrmann to pay $2 million to Network 10 following failed defamation case
The episode also looked at allegations against former Seven journalist Robert Ovadia, who this week filed a general protections claim in the Federal Court against his former employer, Seven, and the network’s newly-minted news boss, Anthony de Ceglie.
In June, Ovadia was sacked after 23 years with the network when an internal investigation was conducted into allegations of inappropriate behaviour. He denies the allegations, previously saying he would defend himself against “malicious” allegations.
In a statement, a Seven spokesperson told Mediaweek: “Seven is not in a position to comment on Mr Ovadia commencing legal proceedings as it is now before the Federal Court, other than to say that Seven will defend its position in this matter.”
Four Corners said that, upon being sacked, Ovadia published messages of support on his Instagram account, from “three former Channel Seven women.” The program revealed that other women contacted Four Corners, alleging unprofessional conduct by Ovadia.
Seven is not the only media company grappling with cultural and behavioural issues. At Nine, an investigation into its TV newsroom culture is still ongoing, after multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against its former national director of news and current affairs, Darren Wick.
Wick left the network in March after 29 years at the company, 13 years in the position, and more than a month away from the office. He announced his departure in a staff email seen by Mediaweek, writing: “After many long beach walks and even longer conversations, I know in my heart that this is the right time for me to step down and leave Nine.”
See also: MEAA accuses Nine of being ‘far too slow’ to address workplace culture