Channel 9 Workplace Culture Investigation Reveals Culture of ...
An independent investigation has laid bare disturbing claims of sexual harassment, bullying, and abuse of power within Channel 9, with numerous employees recounting their troubling experiences in the national broadcaster’s newsrooms.
The findings depict a culture where bullying, harassment, and discrimination are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systemic problem within the company.
Investigators described Nine as suffering from
“a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment.”
The independent investigation, commissioned by the Nine Entertainment Corporation and conducted by Intersection Pty Ltd, revealed widespread instances of inappropriate behaviour and a toxic work environment that has left many staff members traumatised.
The report reflects testimony from current and former employees, who have spoken out against the network’s long-standing toxic culture, particularly in its Broadcast Division.
Darren Wick, Nine’s former news director, was recently accused of sexual harassment and misuse of power, allegations he denies. His sudden departure, however, brought increased attention to the deep-seated issues within the organisation. The broader investigation followed, uncovering patterns of misconduct affecting both male and female employees, though women reportedly experienced inappropriate behaviour more frequently.
One anonymous employee described the newsroom as being dominated by a “boys’ club” culture, where sexism was prevalent and unchallenged.
“While we like to believe that the #MeToo movement improved working conditions for women, the Nine newsroom reeked of a man’s locker room,”
they told investigators. Others recalled hearing regular inappropriate remarks about women, including sexualised comments. One employee recounted hearing colleagues ask,
“Who did you f*** last night?”
Another male staff member admitted that Nine operated under an exclusionary culture:
“This place is run like a boys’ club, and I say that as a male. The ‘cool kids’ in charge are woefully underqualified at best.”
Women, meanwhile, reported being relegated to less serious reporting assignments, with male reporters consistently handed significant stories involving politics, finance, and crime. A female reporter criticised the implicit biases in newsroom assignments, stating that women
“seem to be there just to look pretty.”
The report, based on extensive interviews, painted a picture of a workplace where complaints were routinely ignored or downplayed by senior management. Staff revealed that it was common for grievances to go unaddressed, with some reporting being actively discouraged from approaching HR.
“It is drilled into us to never go to HR. They are very much on the side of the company,” – one employee claimed.
Testimonies from employees detailed the profound emotional toll of working at Nine. Several described suffering severe mental health consequences, including anxiety, depression, and loss of self-confidence, as a result of their treatment at the company.
“Every day I would wake up with this knot in my stomach thinking, am I going to be screamed at, white-anted or publicly humiliated today, or is it someone else’s turn?” – a former employee recalled.
Another employee shared that they were “broken” after enduring a year in Nine’s newsroom.
“By the time I left my soul was gone,”
they said. Others echoed similar sentiments, with some expressing that they had been reduced to “a shell” and “destroyed as a human being.”
The investigation further revealed that this toxic environment extended to Nine’s social settings, with staff reporting inappropriate behaviour at workplace events. One woman disclosed that a colleague had groped her at a Christmas party and made unwanted advances on other occasions.
Another employee recalled being warned about a senior male colleague, with a peer advising her not to let him “touch (her) boobs.”
The culture of fear and silence was compounded by what employees called “punishment island,” where staff who raised concerns or attempted to challenge the status quo were allegedly ostracised and sidelined.
The report has prompted a commitment from Nine to overhaul its workplace practices. The network’s new chair, Catherine West, acknowledged the gravity of the findings, offering a public apology. “We are deeply sorry,” she said.
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation. The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable.”
West emphasised that Nine was committed to implementing changes to rectify the toxic environment, adding that abuse of power, bullying, and harassment “have no place at Nine.”
Despite the comprehensive nature of the report, the identities of the alleged perpetrators remain protected. Although some individuals are thought to have already departed from the company, the network has not publicly named any employees implicated in the misconduct.
The report also acknowledged that the most egregious examples of inappropriate behaviour were excluded due to concerns about identifying those involved.
To address the issues raised, Nine has agreed to implement 22 recommendations outlined in the report, including enhanced training, accountability measures, and a commitment to undergo another external review in three years.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, help is available. Please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/
