Channel 7 has come under criticism after footage emerged of a group of “sexy Santas” dancing at what was supposedly a routine staff meeting.
The meeting of Seven Network parent company Seven West Media in Perth reportedly took place on Friday and was expected to introduce new appointments, including Chris Dore as newspaper boss The West AustralianThe new editor-in-chief, Sarah-Jane Tasker as the first female editor and Adrian Lowe as the first LGBT candidate as editor-in-chief of the weekend newspaper The Sunday Times.
Deputy News Director Ray Kuka discussed upcoming programming, including the broadcast of Perth’s annual Christmas extravaganza on December 7, when Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas began playing, as first reported in the AFR.
Afterwards, a group of dancers wearing Santa hats and short red dresses appeared on the stage.
A photo of the event was shared online and drew heavy criticism, with some saying it was a scene straight out of the 1980s.
The female employees reportedly reacted with shock, and some left the company in protest.
“Oh my god – if they even thought that was appropriate given everything we’ve found out about them, then the cultural fabric of this organization is completely broken,” one person wrote online.
“This will help to address the cultural problems that have been uncovered.”
A spokesman for Seven West Media defended the dancers, saying they were part of the Christmas spectacle that was a “Perth institution”.
News.com.au has contacted Seven West Media for comment.
This incident occurred amid ongoing investigations into alleged inappropriate behavior at the network.
In recent weeks, veteran Sydney reporter Robert Ovadia has filed suit against the company in the Federal Court.
Mr. Ovadia was removed from office on June 21 following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Earlier this month, Ovadia filed suit in the Federal Court against the Seven Network and its news director Anthony De Ceglie.
Ovadia claimed that Seven had told him that no complaints had been made against him.
“Any suggestion that I have ever behaved inappropriately is false, malicious and will be rejected.”
Seven itself stated that it takes all allegations of retaliation for sexual harassment, bullying and other behavior deemed inappropriate “seriously”.
Ryan Stokes, managing director of Seven Group Holdings Ltd, recently addressed inappropriate behavior in the media, calling it an “industry-wide problem.”
Seven West Media crashes
Seven West Media released its annual results last Wednesday, days after an ABC investigation reported misogynistic behavior by senior staff in several newsrooms.
Shares in Seven West Media and parent company Seven Holdings Group had been down since ABC reported on Monday, but Wednesday’s financial results showed an initial upturn in both stocks.
Seven West Media’s pre-tax profit fell 65 percent to $67 million last fiscal year.
Statutory net profit after tax fell 69 percent to $45 million. Revenue fell 4.9 percent. Still, traders bought shares in early trading on Wednesday, and the stock price rose more than 6 percent in the first hour.
“A weaker economic and advertising environment and an evolving media landscape have challenged traditional media business models,” Chairman Kerry Stokes wrote in the results.
“We call on the Australian Federal Government to support the domestic media industry in maintaining a fair and equitable playing field by requiring foreign operators to fully comply with Australian regulatory requirements.”
