Sources claim second image involved in Channel 7 sacking Robert Ovadia

A photograph of a generic ­flaccid penis is one of the images at the centre of a scandal that led to the sacking of Channel 7 news reporter Robert Ovadia, according to sources.

Seven journalist Robert Ovadia reporting from Hong Kong in 2019.

A photograph of a generic ­flaccid penis is one of the images at the centre of a scandal that led to the sacking of Channel 7 news reporter Robert Ovadia, according to sources.

Ovadia was sacked on ­Friday after 23 years of service over allegations he sent inappropriate images.

Seven launched an internal investigation into Ovadia earlier this month after, it is understood, discovering the ABC’s Four Corners program was doing an investigation into workplace cultures in newsrooms.

During its investigation Seven turned up two pieces of evidence - one of which Ovadia is said to have self-reported.

The Saturday Telegraph previously reported the first involved a G-rated app in which users superimpose faces over that of an animated character.

Ovadia is believed to have superimposed the face of a female producer over a character.

Former 7News journalist Robert Ovadia is understood to be planning legal action against Seven.

The female producer did not complain at the time and, say sources, has refused to file a retrospective complaint about the incident after being approached by Seven in recent weeks and following Ovadia being stood down.

Now it can be revealed that Seven has unearthed a second and separate internal communication.

According to sources, a male colleague of Ovadia’s initiated the second communication exchange in which the subject field was labelled “Dick pix”.

The producer was requesting Ovadia supply images of a man who was the focus of a story the Seven News reporter was working on and whose name was named “Dick” or Richard.

Ovadia is understood to have responded by sending a randomly Googled image of a flaccid penis.

Seven insiders have told this column no one involved in the communication exchange was offended by Ovadia’s response at the time and no complaints were filed about the “joke” between two men.

When contacted on Friday, Ovadia would not comment, other than to confirm he had parted ways with the network.

“There will be more to say about that in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time,” he said.

He has hired leading media lawyer John Laxon and is understood to be planning his own legal action against Seven.

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