Nine bloodbath continues with latest cuts

Another senior member of staff at Channel 9 has been made redundant just months after a series of mass sackings.

Victoria Buchan has become the latest senior figure to leave Nine.

Buchan, who ran communications and public relations for the company, was made redundant from her role as director of communications and public relations.

It comes in the wake of her former news boss Darren Wick being accused earlier this year of groping and sexually harassing, or propositioning four women at a Logies afterparty.

Nine, which has cut numerous jobs over the last few months, has faced criticism of its messaging following the emergence of allegations, including over how it responded to rumours that Mr Wick was essentially forced out and did not leave of his own accord.

There are no suggestions that it is related to Buchan’s exit, which is believed to be part of a network wide restructure.

Nine Entertainment's director of communications and public relations Victoria Buchan has been made redundant. Picture: Supplied.

To announce her departure to staff, Buchan sent a note out to an undisclosed list of recipients at 11am on Monday.

“Thanks so much for all the great times. While this year has been more challenging than most, I’ve enjoyed the ride since joining Nine back in 2010,” Buchan wrote.

“We’ve come a long way since those days. I’m looking forward to some family time over the summer and then getting stuck back into some projects or opportunities to work in the industry I love and know so well. As you know, my work has been a passion for me, and that’s not going to change. I will continue to watch, read and listen to all you do and be cheering from the sideline. I can’t wait to reboot and look for great projects and most importantly, great people to work with. It’s been a privilege.”

In a statement to Seven News, Ms Buchan maintained the upcoming report into Nine’s culture played no role in her exit.

PM Anthony Albanese with Head of News & Current Affairs Fiona Dear, Director of Television Michael Healy, Sydney News Director Simon Hobbs, Melbourne News Director Hugh Nailon and former Director of Communications Victoria Buchan. Source: Supplied

In an email to staff on Monday, seen by Seven News, acting Nine CEO Matt Stanton said that Buchan’s redundancy was part of a planned restructuring of the entire network.

“Today Vic and I have agreed terms for her to leave the business as we go about restructuring the corporate roles to create a much-needed Regulatory specialist lead for the business,” he wrote.

“Since joining us nearly 15 years ago, Vic has made a significant contribution at all the key points of Nine’s evolution into Australia’s media company.

“From working alongside David Gyngell as they restructured from private equity, side-by-side with Hugh Marks and the team through the successful merger with Fairfax and more recently with Mike (Sneesby), Vic has launched countless TV and radio shows, worked on landmark legal cases and some of Australia’s biggest events and provided communications support for the executive team, talent and programs however and whenever it was needed.”

Originally published as Nine bloodbath continues with latest cuts