Nine News director Amanda Paterson’s sudden departure sparks speculation amid workplace culture concerns

Nine News Queensland is in turmoil as Amanda Paterson’s abrupt departure has sparked rumours of a relationship with former executive Darren Wick and claims of a toxic workplace culture.

Channel 9's Amanda Paterson and Darren Wick.

A Channel 9 Queensland news director who abruptly left the beleaguered media company this week is believed to have once been in a relationship with former boss Darren Wick who left the network earlier this year amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Nine’s Brisbane employees were called into a last-minute meeting on Thursday and were told it would be Amanda Paterson’s final day.

The quick exit comes after Nine recently promised cultural change within the network following a review into Nine’s workplace practice and culture amid bullying, intimidation and harassment claims, although there is no suggestion the exit relates to that.

It comes as The Courier-Mail learned Ms Paterson was in a relationship with Wick while she was working for the network. It was revealed earlier this year that Wick had multiple consensual romances with women working for him, as well as being accused of sexually harassing others.

It is believed Ms Paterson went into a meeting on Thursday morning and was in the office most the day before disappearing not long before the news was delivered to staff in a town hall.

Amanda Paterson of Nine Queensland.

An internal email was then sent, which outlined Ms Paterson’s exit and spoke about the internal and external recruitment process which would take place to find her replacement.

While most staff who leave the company are given a glowing company wide email send off which outlines their contribution to the business, nothing was said about Ms Paterson, other than “she has finished up with Nine today”.

When it was announced that Wick, who has been accused of serious claims of alleged inappropriate behaviour, was leaving in March, staff received a ‘staff update’ which saw Nine’s programming boss Michael Healey paying tribute to Wick for his work at the network.

“I personally want to thank Wickie for his commitment to the Nine News brand and wish him well,” Healey said.

Paterson’s departure email was much more abrupt, simply announcing she was leaving.

“While we formalise an internal an external recruitment process to replace the role, Kate Donnison has agreed to step in on a short-term basis until QTQ EP Brendan Hockings returns from the US and his annual leave,” it read.

“Brendan will then act in the role until we finalise the recruitment process to ensure stability in leadership during this time.”

Ms Paterson’s temporary replacement Kate Donnison is the A Current Affair Queensland bureau chief.

Director of news and current affairs Fiona Dear, who replaced Wick in May, would not reveal why Ms Paterson was leaving, simply saying it was a “private matter”.

Nine would not comment further on Ms Paterson’s departure, instead saying, “Nine can confirm a leadership change was announced on Thursday within the Queensland TV News & Current Affairs department.”

Former Channel 9 news chief Darren Wick.. Picture: Damian Shaw

Her exit comes following a review into Nine’s workplace practice and culture amid bullying, intimidation and harassment claims.

Multiple former and current Nine staffers have expressed frustration to The Courier-Mail over the network’s handling of the findings of the investigation.

“It’s difficult to ignore the timing,” a source said

“Many of us are wondering if this is the beginning of Nine actually taking steps to address the toxic culture staff have been quietly enduring.”

Paterson’s departure adds to a string of high-profile exits across Australia’s media networks over the past year, indicating a turbulent period for the industry.

Other notable departures include Michael Coombes, who left his role as Seven News Director for Brisbane and the Gold Coast after 28 years, and Erin Edwards, who stepped down from Ten News First before returning to Seven as Brisbane’s News Director.

In July, Seven News also cut ties with Sharyn Ghidella, ending her 17-year tenure as news presenter.

Longstanding Seven News personalities like sports presenter Shane Webke and weatherman Paul Burt have also announced their exits, with Burt leaving several weeks after announcing he had been cut from the network.

Notable departures from Queensland networks in 2024:

• Michael Coombes, Seven News – After 28 years with Seven, Coombes announced his departure as News Director for Brisbane and the Gold Coast on September 23.

• Erin Edwards, 10 News First – Edwards left her role as Executive Editor at 10 News First to rejoin Seven as Brisbane News Director, a surprising return just 15 months after her high-profile departure. She announced her departure from 10 on October 2.

• Sharyn Ghidella, Seven News – The longtime news presenter was let go on July 12 after a dedicated 17 years with the network, but has since taken over the 5pm bulletin at 10 News First.

• Amanda Paterson, Nine News – Paterson, who served as Queensland News Director for eight years, departed abruptly on November 7.

• Shane Webke, Seven News– The veteran sports presenter announced in August that he will be leaving his position in January 2025, concluding nearly two decades in the role.

• Paul Burt, Seven News – The beloved weatherman, a fixture in Queensland for 30 years, announced he had been cut in July and exited the network several weeks later, marking the end of his three-decade tenure.