Video scandal latest in string of nasty Ch 7 leaks

Footage of Channel 7 news anchors’ expletive-laden discussion about Djokovic is the latest in a string of leaks to plague the network. Maybe it’s time they called a plumber.

The leaking of an expletive-laden “hot mic” video of Channel 7 Melbourne’s news anchors Rebecca Maddern and Mike Amor venting their private feelings about Novak Djokovic at the newsdesk is surely the final straw in the culture of leaks that has engulfed 7 Melbourne news identities in recent years.

The controversial video, which appears to be a portion of the pre-broadcast studio feed as Maddern and Amor prepared for Tuesday night’s news bulletin, sees Maddern describe Djokovic as a “lying, sneaking, a--hole”.

The pair’s conversation is based on Djokovic being allowed to stay in Australia after a Federal Circuit Court hearing overturned his visa cancellation.

“He got a bullshit f-----g excuse and then fell over his own f-----g lies. It’s just what happens, right, that’s what happened,” Amor responds to Maddern.

The astonishing clip has naturally gone viral with some Twitter pundits applauding Maddern and Amor for saying what many others feel, while others called for the newsreaders to be sanctioned.

Video of Mike Amor and Rebecca Maddern discussing the Djokovic visa saga has been leaked.

Seven is furious about the leak and has launched an investigation.

Putting aside the theatre of the video, the appearance of the unauthorised clip on social media does bring attention to a peculiar habit that has emerged in recent years of nasty leaks targeting 7 Melbourne newsroom identities making their way into the media.

This ‘leaky sieve’ issue does not seem to afflict other commercial networks.

In February 2019, several emails emerged from the 7 Melbourne newsroom revealing a ‘mean girls’ culture.

One of the emails, written by executive news producer Lynne Scrivens and called “Year of the Woman — please read” called out alleged bratty behaviour.

“2018 has without doubt been the Year of the Woman,” it read.

“Around the world, women are standing up for themselves, being taken seriously, getting more opportunities. Yet, here in the 7 newsroom, it seems we are still a bit behind the times. The bitching and backstabbing … I’m so done with it.

A ‘grammar note’ sent by Channel 7 reporter Georgia Love was also leaked.

“All of us, I’m sure, have been guilty of having a bitch about a colleague. Enough already, let’s start supporting each other, as women in an industry dominated by men. People who spend spare time at work looking for stories, not gossiping or online shopping, will do well in 2019.”

The emails included the firey reply from now former reporter Emily Angwin to fire back about it being “incredibly inappropriate”.

In October 2021, an email popped up in the media showing Georgia Love being sharply called out by a 7 Melbourne newsroom colleague for sending a note to the news team about grammar.

Love was shamed by a senior reporter for pointing out the incorrect use of the word ‘surgeries’ in an email titled ‘grammar note’.

Love’s initial email – in which she was simply doing her job – and the prickly reply were leaked, presumably to embarrass Love.

And now comes the leak of the Rebecca Maddern/Mike Amor footage, just six days after Maddern started on-air with 7 after moving across from Channel 9.

Maddern is a significant signing for 7 and she has plenty of experience and resilience after many years in the media across two networks.

Channel 7 has rightfully called out this most recent act of leaking, with both Craig McPherson, 7’s director of news and public affairs, and Lewis Martin, the managing director of Seven Melbourne, using strong language to pledge the perpetrator will be found and dealt with.

Maybe they also need to call a plumber to help plug those leaks.