Seven announces major shake-up after Spotlight scandal

The Seven Network has announced a huge shake-up in the wake of the Spotlight scandal with another boss stepping down.

The Seven Network has announced a huge shake-up in the wake of the Spotlight scandal with news chief Craig McPherson stepping down and West Australian editor Anthony De Ceglie moving to Sydney to take on the role.

The changing of the guard follows news.com.au’s exclusive report that a Spotlight producer, Taylor Auerbach, had spent $10,000 on a corporate credit card to order two Thai masseuses to his home after a boozy dinner with Bruce Lehrmann.

Mr Lehrmann has denied getting a massage. In the fallout from the story, Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn left the company and the program’s chief of staff Steve Jackson was dumped from his appointment as the head of NSW police media.

The Thai masseuses were booked without the knowledge or consent of Seven executives including Mr McPherson, Mr Llewellyn and Jackson. Auerbach told the federal court escorts were booked on two subsequent occasions, first at the Meriton in Sydney’s CBD and then at a Sydney brothel, but this was not paid for with a Seven corporate card.

Craig McPherson has quit the network. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

Auerbach was also sacked from Sky News, before giving bombshell evidence in the Federal Court that Mr Lehrmann had leaked protected documents regarding Brittany Higgins’ private phone records to Spotlight after it agreed to pay a six figure sum for his rent for a year.

Under the shake-up, Mr McPherson, who is the husband of TV star Sonia Kruger will leave the company and Chris Dore the former editor of The Australian newspaper will become acting editor of the newspaper division.

In a statement today, Seven confirmed that De Ceglie has been appointed director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief, Seven West Media (SWM).

“Anthony brings a compelling vision to the Director of News and Current Affairs and Editor-in-Chief of Seven West Media role,’’ SWM managing director and chief executive officer, Jeff Howard, said.

“His absolute focus on news gathering and storytelling will underpin his approach, while his knowledge of digital and his innovative mindset will be just what SWM needs as we continue to build a better media business.

“This appointment reflects our ambition to think differently about the future of media in Australia. I look forward to working with Anthony in his new role.

“Craig has been one of Australia’s pre-eminent news leaders and we wish him all the best for the future.”

De Ceglie said: “It’s an absolute privilege and honour to step into one of the most important roles in news in the country, and to do such at such a pivotal and important time for our industry. I can’t wait to work with the many, many brilliant creative people across the network who put all our products to air.”

Former Spotlight EP Mark Llewellyn and news boss Craig McPherson have now both left the network. Picture: Instagram

Mr McPherson thanked Seven West Media Chairman Kerry Stokes AC, CEOs past and present, and all the staff for their unwavering support during his tenure.

“It’s a decision I have been considering for a while and believe now is a good time for all to have a fresh start,” he said.

“To the hundreds of staff who represent the 7NEWS brand across Australia and the globe, you bring it all to our viewers’ homes every day and night.

“To the phenomenal News Directors in every market and the leaders of Sunrise, The Morning Show and our Digital team, you are central to why we have been and remain Australia’s #1 news for the past nine years.

“As for me, I’ll be taking a long break to spend time with all my family and wish everyone at the network continued success.”

De Ceglie is currently the editor-in-chief of The West Australian, The Sunday Times, PerthNow and its suburban newspapers, 19 regional newspapers and SWM’s recently launched The Nightly digital newspaper.

De Ceglie spent more than 11 years in various roles at News Corp Australia including senior roles at The Daily Telegraph. He joined Seven in 2019.

In a statement, Seven said De Ceglie will be responsible for Australia’s most-watched news and public affairs programs including 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show and Spotlight, as well as 7NEWS.com.au.

De Ceglie will commence in the role on 30 April 2024 and will be based in Sydney.

Craig McPherson is married to Sonia Kruger.

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn also left the company in the wake of the Spotlight scandal. Picture: Instagram

Seven praised Mr McPherson as playing a pivotal role in leading Seven’s news and public affairs offering over two stints at Seven, including a long period of success helming Today Tonight and consecutive years of audience leadership for Sunrise and The Morning Show.

Under his leadership, the statement said that 7NEWS has been the most watched news service nationally since 2015, and in the capital cities since 2016. During the Covid pandemic, Mr McPherson ensured that Seven’s news and public Affairs continued to provide the essential news services to all Australians.

To support De Ceglie’s transition to his new role, Chris Dore, former Editor-in-Chief of The Australian, has been appointed to the role of acting editor of The West Australian and other West Australian Newspapers titles. He will continue to write for The Nightly.

Seven said this appointment was on an interim basis and Mr De Ceglie’s successor at The West Australian and related products will be announced in due course.

More to come

Originally published as Seven announces major shake-up after Spotlight scandal