Channel Seven embroiled in fresh legal saga as journalist Amelia Saw sues over hostile work environment at Spotlight
Channel Sevens list of disgruntled staff continues to grow as yet another journalist takes the network to court claiming she experienced a hostile working environment while employed there.
Channel Sevens list of disgruntled staff continues to grow as yet another journalist takes the network to court claiming she experienced a hostile working environment while employed there.
Journalist Amelia Saw worked at Sevens flagship Spotlight program for a year in 2022.
In a statement of claim filed with the Federal Court of Australia on September 6, she reportedly claimed the program facilitated a hostile working environment for women, among other allegations.
The claim is understood to name several high-profile employees of the network.
As a result she is suing the network for compensation under the Fair Work Act for general breach of protections.
Ms Saws claim does not detail any allegations of sexual harassment, the Saturday Telegraph reported.
The Seven Network is yet to file a defence to Ms Saws claim.
In a case management hearing on Friday, Justice Nye Perram encouraged the parties to undertake mediation.
Kournalist Amelia Saw (pictured) claimed Sevens Spotlight program facilitated a hostile working environment for women, among other allegations, in a statement of claim
Journalist Amelia Saw worked at Sevens flagship Spotlight program for a year in 2022
During the hearing Sevens barrister Vanja Bulut told the court her client had already tried to reach a resolution with Ms Saw via a pre-court letter and therefore did not see the value in mediation.
But Ms Saws lawyer Lisa Doust disagreed, telling the judge it was worth having a crack at the mediation process.
The outcome of the hearing saw Justice Perram order the parties to participate in mediation in November.
He also ordered Ms Saws legal team to file a more detailed statement of claim by September 27.
Seven was ordered to file a defence to the claim and serve it by October 18.
Ms Saw declined to comment when contacted by the outlet.
A Seven spokesman told the publication: Seven Network strongly and categorically rejects the allegations by Amelia Saw as reported by media today.
Veteran reporter Robert Ovadia was sacked from the network after Seven said in court that complaints about his conduct had been made by 13 women
Ms Saws legal action comes off the back of a tough year for Seven and the Spotlight program.
Its reputation was first tarnished when one of the programs producers, Taylor Auerbach, claimed Bruce Lehrmann had been supplied with drugs and prostitutes in exchange for his bombshell exclusive interview about Brittany Higgins rape allegations.
That revelation eventually saw Spotlights executive producer Mark Llewellyn resign from the network, though both he and Seven denied the allegations about Lehrmanns interview.
Mr Llewellyn was not alleged to have supplied the drugs or prostitutes.
More recently, veteran reporter Robert Ovadia was sacked after Seven said in court allegations of inappropriate conduct had been made against him.
Ovadia then commenced proceedings against Seven for wrongful dismissal but later dropped his legal action due to the cost and emotional toll involved.
The networks problems were compounded when ABCs investigative Four Corners program delved into Sevens culture.
Female employees described it as a toxic and soul-crushing work environment.
One journalist claimed she jumped in front of a moving car after being left with crippling anxiety, while another labelled Seven one of the most degrading workplaces.
Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach claimed Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) had been supplied with drugs and prostitutes in exchange for a bombshell exclusive interview with Seven
Former Channel Seven newsreader Sharyn Ghidella was one of 150 Seven West Media staff made redundant in July,
She watched the Four Corners investigation and admitted shed seen problematic behaviour during her 17 years at the network.
I did watch it, it was information that I already sort of knew about, she said.
Revelations from the investigation prompted an apology from CEO Jeff Howard.
If any of the issues they call out werent appropriately addressed, that disappoints me; we should have done better, and for that Im sorry to those affected, he wrote.
Mr Howard said management at Seven are reviewing workplace policies and culture about some of the issues raised at the network.
A number of people who have displayed behaviour not reflective of SWMs values have already been removed from the organisation, he wrote.
I want to be really clear that the actions of some individuals do not reflect the values, behaviour and attitude of the business as a whole, which is home to some of the best, hardest working and most passionate media professionals in Australia.
