“Nine has been far too slow to acknowledge and take seriously the concerns raised by editorial staff about the failings of management in providing safe workplaces,” says the acting director of MEAA Media, Michelle Rae.
In March, Nine’s national director of news and current affairs, Darren Wick, left the network after 29 years at the company. In the wake of his departure, allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace followed.
“Poor management culture starts at the top, and the announcement of a new chair is an opportunity to reset by beginning to take the actions that the previous chair and senior management have been unwilling or unable to do,” Rae added on behalf of the industry’s union.
“The journalists who work for Nine are the company’s biggest asset, and the first priority of the new chair must be to demonstrate through actions – not only words – that journalism is valued and respected at Nine.”
Following the Wick allegations and an altercation with a News Corp journalist, Peter Costello stepped down as Nine Entertainment chairman and resigned as a director. Costello was under pressure about the company’s failure to deal with alleged sexual harassment in its television newsrooms.
Catherine West was subsequently appointed Nine chair on Sunday evening following Costello’s resignation.
“The board has been supportive through the events of the last month and last few days in particular,” Costello said in a statement issued on Sunday.
“But going forward I think they need a new chair to unite them around a fresh vision and someone with the energy to lead to that vision for the next decade.”
West added “As chairman, he [Costello] has always put the needs of the company first and his decision to stand down and pass on the baton of leading Nine at this time is in line with that approach.”
In his statement, Costello said CEO Mike Sneesby has always had his full support, and expressed his faith in the investigation into complaints against Wick.
“Mr Sneesby has always had my full support as CEO,” he said. “The company has set up a robust process to investigate historical complaints which has my full support. I believe it will get to the bottom of any unknown issues.”
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Top image: Catherine West and Peter Costello