Sevens bid to gag the media over salacious emails in blockbuster legal row - as TV reporter accuses network of hostile working environment on flagship Spotlight program
The Seven Network is seeking to suppress salacious emails included in a workplace compensation claim made by one of its former television journalists.
The Seven Network is seeking to suppress salacious emails included in a workplace compensation claim made by one of its former television journalists.
Amelia Saw has filed a statement of claim against Seven in the Federal Court alleging she experienced a hostile working environment while working on the Spotlight program.
On Friday, Seven sought to have parts of that claim suppressed from publication, submitting its release would hinder the administration of justice.
Barrister Kate Eastman SC, for the network, said making the document public before court-ordered mediation might impact the prospects of settling the case.
The suppression order would also cover an amended statement of claim which the court heard contained large slabs of potentially salacious communications.
Saw filed her action last month under the Fair Work Act, alleging Sevens flagship current affairs program created a hostile working environment for women.
Justice Nye Perram has previously ordered Saw and Seven engage in mediation next month.
Ms Eastman said on Friday that Saw had a right to be heard but releasing her full claim before mediation would put Seven in an extremely difficult position and result in one-sided media commentary.
The Seven Network is seeking to suppress salacious emails included in a workplace compensation claim made by one of its former journalists. Amelia Saw Saw worked for Spotlight in 2002 and her claim is understood to name several high-profile Seven employees
Saws barrister Philip Boncardo opposed the documents being suppressed, submitting the move represented an extraordinary and unprecedented application.
Mr Boncardo said Seven had already publicly denied his clients claim had merit and was seeking to keep its details secret to avoid embarrassment.
After Saw launched her claim a Seven spokesman said: Seven Network strongly and categorically rejects the allegations by Amelia Saw as reported by media today.
When Justice Perram asked Mr Boncardo why Saw wanted her claim made public he said there was no strategic benefit but the suppression order was unnecessary.
Mr Boncardo said while some of the relevant material might not be advantageous to Saw, the network contended it could be humiliating, demeaning, embarrassing to Seven.
All that is going to be publicised is allegations, Mr Boncardo said.
[We are] confident that the public understands the distinction between a mere allegation and a finding of fact.
Justice Perram reserved his judgement.
Spotlights reputation was first tarnished when producer Taylor Auerbach claimed Bruce Lehrmann had been supplied with drugs and prostitutes in exchange for his bombshell exclusive interview about Brittany Higgins rape allegations
Saw worked for Spotlight for about a year in 2022 and her claim is understood to name several high-profile Seven journalists. Seven is yet to file a defence to her claim.
Saws legal action comes off the back of a tough year for Seven and the Spotlight program.
Its reputation was first tarnished when producer Taylor Auerbach claimed Bruce Lehrmann had been supplied with drugs and prostitutes in exchange for his bombshell exclusive interview about Brittany Higgins rape allegations.
Spotlights executive producer Mark Llewellyn eventually resigned from the network, though both he and Seven denied Lehrmanns claims.
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.
Veteran reporter Robert Ovadia was sacked after Seven said in court allegations of inappropriate conduct had been made against him. Ovadia denied the claims
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.
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.
