Erin Molan, Ray Hadley, Karl Stefanovic slam Nine over workplace report

As more details of the damning culture investigation into Nine emerge, the network’s big-name stars are slamming the beleaguered Australian broadcaster.

Channel 9 stars have lashed out at their employer after a bombshell report revealed a culture of bullying, harassment and abuse of power at the TV station, slamming the beleaguered broadcaster for its “lack of accountability”.

TV and radio presenter Erin Molan, who worked at the network for 12 years on programs including The Footy Show and Nine News, said she was “angry” after the release of the report.

“I took part in the review, I spoke at length about my experiences,” she said.

“I’m not sure what I was expecting but I feel let down. Immensely.

“I also feel angry. Not just for what I and so many others went through. But at what appears to be a complete lack of accountability.”

Former Channel 9 presenter Erin Molan says she is angry following the release of the report. Picture: Tim Hunter

Molan doubled down on her comments on her Sky News program on Friday night.

“Let me assure you all that what you have seen and read was commonplace and frequent, and in some circumstances far worse than anything in that report – I know first-hand,” she said.

“To all the incredible women I worked with who suffered, who are angry, and who still can’t speak, I’ve got your back. I promise.”

Nine radio broadcaster Ray Hadley said he was “alarmed” by some of the allegations contained in the report on his 2GB program yesterday.

Speaking about shock allegations that an executive was accused of touching a female employee “on the bum”, Hadley said there could be some truth to the allegation because there used to be “a groper” working at Nine.

“That may well have happened previously,” Hadley said. “There was a groper working here at one stage. The groper is gone.”

Nine radio broadcaster Ray Hadley pulled no punches. Picture: Christian Gilles

Ben Fordham said it was time for Nine to reinvent itself. Picture: Gaye Gerard

He demanded an end to the “cover-ups”, and said he had made it his duty to ensure women and junior staff “felt safe” on the job.

“I don’t care whether it’s the biggest name in the business or someone a bit down the pecking order, there can’t be a cover up simply because someone is a powerful person,” he said.

“It’s got to end.”

Karl Stefanovic also weighed in, urging the network to call out “perpetrators” of bad behaviour. He said he understood concerns that the report didn’t “name names”.

“They feel like what was the point of speaking out if perpetrators are not called out? I asked the same question yesterday and it’s my understanding several investigations are now under way and we have to be patient for the process of all that,’’ he said.

He said he felt for the women who had given testimony and the “good men” at Nine found the stories that had emerged “intolerable".

“I feel like we have all in a way, let you down. I love my work colleagues here. Women I have the honour to present with women on the floor of this great show.”

Today host Karl Stefanovic addresses the bombshell report on TV. Picture: Supplied

2GB morning host Ben Fordham said it was “a tough time for the business”.

“Particularly for those people who have been victims of such things,” he said.

“It is a chance for the business to reinvent itself in some way.”

Reporters Tom Steinfort and Dimity Clancey and presenter Deb Knight were among the most outspoken employees at a staff meeting on Thursday, reportedly questioning “the CEO like it was a press conference.”

Employees who say they have experienced bullying and sexual harassment while working for Nine have branded the report a “fake investigation with no accountability”.

“Most of us left the building in tears,” one of the staffers said. “No one has been named and shamed. They just want to focus on moving forward.”

It is understood one of the report authors told the employee meeting “your stats on sexual harassment in the office are less than industry average”, which did not go down well with fired-up staff.

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