Another executive departs beleaguered Nine Network

Staff have been told of the departure of another top executive at Nine Entertainment. Here is what you need to know.

Nine’s Sydney news director Simon Hobbs is leaving the network after 12 years with the business.

Staff were notified of the departure at a meeting at 2pm on Wednesday, which included the news that the television executive was leaving the business as of the end of this week.

“Nine can confirm further leadership changes were communicated to its TV News division today,” a spokesperson for Nine said.

“An internal and external recruitment process is now underway for news directors in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.”

Brisbane news director Amanda Paterson finished up with Nine last week.

Sydney news director Simon Hobbs.

Former news chief Darren Wick.

And in Perth, Gareth Parker was promoted within the company earlier this year, leaving that position to be filled.

Sydney Deputy News Director Margie McLew will assume higher responsibilities until a permanent replacement for Hobbs is finalised.

“Simon will be supporting Margie from home to ensure a seamless transition and handover in leadership, before finishing with the business on Friday 15 November,” an internal note to staff from Wick’s replacement, Fiona Dear, read.

“As we are recruiting for three News Director roles, I have asked Hugh Nailon to take on some expanded responsibilities in addition to his GTV News Director role while we finalise the recruitment process. This includes overseeing and supporting the State News Directors and the Network Desk.”

It has been a scandal-filled year for the media group which culminated in the release of a damning report into workplace culture at the network.

Nine Entertainment — the owner of Channel 9, 2GB radio and The Sydney Morning Herald — has come under intense scrutiny this year.

Former news boss Darren Wick was the first to leave earlier this year following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Queensland news director Amanda Paterson.

Former Nine boss Mike Sneesby with wife Ursula at Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Big Dance.

Mike Sneesby left his post as chief executive of Nine Entertainment at the end of September.

On October 17, an independent report into culture at Nine found “a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment”.

The review included interviews with current and past employees, and a company-wide survey, and found 52 per cent of staff claimed to have experienced or witnessed abuse of power, 49 per cent said they had experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment, and 24 per cent said they had experienced sexual harassment.

The investigation was launched after shock allegations were made against Wick, with several women coming forward to claim he had sexually harassed them and was part of a toxic newsroom culture.

In June, Nine Chairman Peter Costello resigned days after a clash with a journalist at Canberra Airport and on October 14, it was announced that Nine communications boss Victoria Buchan had been made redundant.