Bruce Lehrmann defamation case: Seven tells staff to tread softly on Spotlight saga

Seven’s editorial staff have been warned over on-air references to the scandal-plagued Spotlight program and its disaffected former producer Taylor Auerbach.

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn. Picture: Adam Taylor

Seven’s editorial staff have been ordered to tread carefully when making on-air references to the scandal-plagued Spotlight program and its disaffected former producer Taylor Auerbach, in a bid to limit the potential spread of damage to the media company’s overall reputation.

A well-placed newsroom source said staff have been encouraged to minimise “mentions of Seven” when reporting on the Spotlight story.

The Weekend Australian understands network executives have conceded that while the Spotlight brand could be forever tarnished by the saga – which has been a public relations trainwreck for the show – the stain on Seven’s wider reputation could soon fade.

“They are throwing the show under the bus, what a joke,” the insider said.

The edict from within Seven came after Auerbach spent several hours, across Thursday and Friday giving testimony in the Federal Court. He claimed, among other things, that he was offered a promotion and a pay rise after he confessed to spending more than $10,000 on a company credit card in November 2022 for the services of two Thai masseuses to entertain Bruce Lehrmann and himself.

The following morning, Auerbach sent a resignation note to his boss, Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn, in which he admitted to the unauthorised spending on the credit card, acknowledging it “had nothing to do with work”. The resignation wasn’t accepted, and he continued working at Spotlight.

On Friday a Seven spokesperson said: “Seven again confirms Mr Auerbach was never offered a promotion or a pay rise in late 2022 or afterwards. As the court heard today, there is nothing to suggest otherwise.”

The edict to staff on Friday about how to handle on-air mentions of the Spotlight scandal comes after crisis talks were held at the station’s Eveleigh headquarters in Sydney’s inner south earlier this week, with those involved with the program, including Llewellyn, involved in the top-level meetings on Seven’s executive floor.

The program’s future remains up in the air and Seven’s communications team has this week ignored repeated questions about the timing of the show’s ­return in 2024, even though its scheduled launch date – before the events of the past week – had been set down for April 14.

Llewellyn did not respond to calls on Friday.

On Thursday, Seven chief executive James Warburton issued a statement, defending the integrity of the media company.

“Seven is appalled by the allegations made in court in recent days. We do not condone the behaviours described in these allegations. They do not reflect the culture of Seven,” he said.

“Seven has acted appropriately at all times.”