By Colin Kruger
Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby told staff that the media company does not tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and reiterated its complaints and whistleblower policies following reports of misconduct by a senior TV executive.
“It is important for everyone at Nine to know that we don’t tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and want to know if there is inappropriate behaviour occurring, so that it can be addressed promptly,” he told staff in internal email on Wednesday.
Nine boss Mike Sneesby told staff in an internal email that the company won’t tolerate inappropriate behaviour.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“If you raise an issue, including making a complaint, our processes are designed to ensure the confidentiality and protection for the individual, as well as the confidentiality of the person who the complaint is directed at. This is critical – no matter what level you are in our business, to ensure you feel safe to make a complaint and know that it will be handled seriously and discreetly,” he said.
Sneesby said the email was in response to external media reports.
On Monday, News Corp publications reported that the departure of Nine network news boss Darren Wick earlier this year followed allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female staff member. Nine Entertainment owns the broadcaster as well as this masthead.
Nine declined to comment.
Wick resigned in March after 29 years at the network, following weeks of speculation over his unexplained absence at Nine’s Sydney headquarters. He had been in the role of news director for 13 years.
Wick told staff in an email that he had been taking time to contemplate his future.
“Some of you are aware that I have taken a few weeks off to think about my future. And after many long beach walks and even longer conversations, I know in my heart that this is the right time for me to step down and leave Nine,” he said.
Wick narrowly avoided jail time in 2021 after being caught drink-driving, returning a blood-alcohol reading of 0.227 after a work function.
Executive behaviour in the media industry has been under the spotlight following evidence in court that the Kerry Stokes-led Seven West reimbursed accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann for cocaine and sex workers while in a negotiation period for interviews on its Spotlight program.
The allegations triggered a string of departures from the network, including Spotlight head Mark Llewellyn as well as news and current affairs boss Craig McPherson.
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