‘Failed to comply’: Seven responds as Robert Ovadia accuses Channel 7 of “evil” conduct

The Australian media giant has returned serve to an extraordinary Instagram spray about its conduct towards the award-winning reporter.

Channel 7 has returned fire over former crime reporter Robert Ovadia’s claims it is an “evil company” warning it has discovered more inappropriate emails that it hasn’t disclosed “at this stage” out of concern for his privacy.

Insisting the network was doing nothing more than “discharging its obligations to prevent sexual harassment at work,’’ the media giant has returned serve to an extraordinary spray on social media about Seven’s conduct towards the award-winning reporter.

“Mr Ovadia commenced Federal Court proceedings against Seven over his dismissal for serious misconduct following the sending of inappropriate emails to a 23-year-old news producer and other employees of Seven,’’ a 7 spokesman said.

“In doing so, Seven is discharging its obligations to prevent sexual harassment at work, including as more recently expanded under recent legislation. Mr Ovadia was trained about these new legislative obligations by Seven and failed to comply with them.”

Ominously, the Seven statement went on to suggest there are further revelations to come.

“At the first hearing of those proceedings on Thursday, 29 August 2024 about Orders for the filing of evidence and timetable steps, Justice Raper asked Seven whether any other conduct would be relied upon by Seven other than set out in the termination letter,’’ the spokesman said.

Former Seven journalist Robert Ovadia. Source: Channel 7

“In that context, Seven confirmed it has had complaints or allegations about Mr Ovadia from 13 other employees. Although Seven was not required to provide examples of the other conduct it intends to rely on at this stage, Seven has provided Mr Ovadia and his lawyers examples of some of the inappropriate emails by Mr Ovadia, which will be further detailed in Seven’s defence required to be filed on 12 September 2024.

“Out of respect for their privacy, Seven has not chosen to make further even more inappropriate emails public at this stage.

“In response to this, Mr Ovadia has made outlandish complaints about Seven being an ‘evil company’ with a ‘propaganda unit’ that is setting out to destroy his reputation. Seven is confident its position on this matter will be upheld by the Courts.

“Seven is doing no more than defending Court proceedings commenced by Mr Ovadia and will continue to respond in the context of those proceedings.”

Star lashes out at 7’s ‘propaganda unit’

Earlier today, Mr Ovadia took a swing at his “evil” former employers’ “propaganda unit” as his extraordinary salary as an award-winning crime reporter has been revealed.

Describing Channel 7 as an “evil company”, Mr Ovadia claimed he had “risked his life and safety for many times” in his job.

But news.com.au can reveal for the first time that he was paid a salary that was around four times the salary paid to junior female producers at the network with a salary package of around $340,000.

Despite the big pay packet, he said working at Channel 7 came at a huge personal cost as he accused the network of participating in media “smears,” which follow proceedings in the Federal Court and separate media reports.

“I can be crass, I can be blunt, I can be obnoxious, my humour is dark – 20 years surrounded by trauma and danger will do all of that to you – but I do NOT mistreat women,” Mr Ovadia said in a lengthy Instagram post.

Ovadia denies the allegations, stating that the company is trying to destroy his reputation.

“I’ll expect more smear over the coming months as this evil company (in whose service I risked my life and safety many times) now seeks to destroy my reputation further,” Mr Ovadia said.

“When this kicked off, the day Seven first leaked this story, my teenage daughter asked if people will think her dad is a rapist. At least Four Corners’ laboured hatchet job got one thing right – the Seven Network is diabolical.”

“Feel free to scroll through a few recent interactions with women I’ve worked with … vs Seven’s Propaganda Unit intent on scaring me away from court – and a consequential death threat,” the post said.

Ovadia’s post also included a screenshot showing a death threat from a member of the public.

Ovadia’s lawyer “aghast” at Channel 7’s conduct 

His lawyer, John Laxon, told Daily Mail Australiaon Monday they were unaware of the latest allegations as Seven had repeatedly refused to provide details.

“I’m aghast Seven is making these allegations, and they shouldn’t be,” Mr Laxon said.

His comments followed reports in the Daily Mail that Channel 7 had also spoken to other reporters at rival networks.

The Seven Network has alleged in court documents that 13 more women came forward with complaints about Robert Ovadia’s conduct after the senior reporter was sacked in late June, the federal court has heard.

Ovadia’s lawyer is shocked by Channel 7’s handling of the allegations and claims they were not provided with details. Source: Supplied.

Barrister Vanja Bulut, representing Seven, said subsequent to Mr Ovadia’s dismissal, 13 more women had come forward with complaints in relation to his conduct.

Justice Raper has ordered that the parties attend mediation.

‘Flaccid penis’ pictures sent to male colleague

Mr Ovadia’s lawyers have argued their client’s conduct did not amount to sexual harassment or serious misconduct and alleged he was unlawfully sacked.

The reporter was accused of creating edited photos and a caricature of “Person A” and sending them to that person, an act which did not constitute sexual harassment, the documents claimed.

He also allegedly sent a photo copied from the internet of a flaccid penis to “Person B” which was not of a sexual nature and did not amount to sexual harassment, the documents further claimed.

“No reasonable employer could have formed form the view that the conduct amounted to sexual harassment, the photo was not conduct of a sexual nature,” the statement of claim said.

The veteran Sydney reporter was stood down in June while Seven conducted an internal investigation into allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.

Mr Ovadia was removed in early June after ABC’s Four Corners brought the messages to Seven’s attention.

His lawyer John Laxon has previously confirmed to news.com.au that a general protections application has been lodged seeking orders of compensation for his dismissal, reinstatement to his job and pecuniary penalties.

The case is now heading to mediation as Ovadia (left) seeks compensation for his dismissal and reinstatement to his job. Picture: 7 NEWS

The reporter, who worked at Seven for 23 years, has previously said any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour was “false, malicious and will be defended”.

“We take complaints seriously, manage them confidentially and deal with any breaches decisively,” a Seven spokesman said.

Veteran Seven reporter Robert Ovadia confirmed earlier this year that he had been sacked by the network, following allegations of “inappropriate conduct” towards a woman.

“Yes I’ve been sacked and there will be more to say about that in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time,” he said.

‘Malicious’ allegations

In his own statement at the time, Mr Ovadia said he would defend the “malicious” allegations.

“Seven has told me no current or former colleague has made any complaint against me,” he said in a statement to the ABC.

“As far as I am aware, I have not been stood down by the company.

“Any suggestion I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false, malicious and will be defended.”

He also used his Instagram account to share multiple messages of support he’d received since news of the investigation had surfaced.