Former Nine News director reportedly engages lawyer after leaving network
The former Nine News Queensland director is reportedly pursuing legal action against the media giant after departing last week.
According to The Australian, Amanda Paterson engaged high profile media lawyer, John Laxon, within 24 hours of being let go by Nine last week, where she was reportedly dismissed effective immediately.
Paterson, who worked at Nine for 31 years, had worked in the news director role since 2016.
“Nine can confirm a leadership change was announced within the Queensland TV News & Current Affairs department,” a Nine spokesperson told Mumbrella.
“An internal and external recruitment process will now commence.”
Mumbrella has contacted Laxon’s firm for comment.
The news comes after Nine Entertainment chair, Catherine West, faced angry shareholders at the company’s AGM last week as close to 40% voted against its executive remuneration report.
Both West – who had a 17% vote against her re-election – and acting CEO, Matt Stanton, addressed a number of concerns off the bat, including the workplace cultural review findings, the massive drop in market capitalisation of Nine and Domain, and the loss of funding from social media giants.
During the AGM, Stanton advised that an “action plan” in response to the workplace report has been submitted to the Board.
The report – developed by independent consulting firm Intersection – uncovered “concerning levels of inappropriate workplace behaviours” at the media company. Abuse of authority and power, inequity, reports of bullying, harassment and more were all found to be prevalent within the media company.
Stanton will lead the program, alongside chief people officer Vanessa Morley, with regular reporting to the Board.
Stanton said the action plan will address the 22 recommendations made from the Intersection Report: “While our commitment to implementing the recommendations remains unwavering, the transformation of our culture is greater than just our response to the Intersection Report.
“Therefore, you’ll be hearing more about a number of cultural initiatives across the business and within divisions that will contribute to our overall culture uplift.”
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Neil Griffiths is the Managing Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the company in October 2023.
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