Former News Corp staffer tells inquiry she was told no ‘pigs in lipstick’

A former News Corp photographer has told senators at the ongoing media diversity inquiry that management was contractually permitted to listen in on her phone calls, instructed her not to take photos of “pigs in lipstick”, and subjected her to a “toxic” and “sexist” work environment.

Anna Rogers worked for various News Corp mastheads for more than 20 years, before her role was made redundant last June.

“A lack of competition and emphasis on click bait has created a toxic culture, where staff feel intimated and bullied, many waiting for the next axe to fall,” she said of her former employer.