Today show host Karl Stefanovic says ‘good men’ at Nine let women down

Today show host Karl Stefanovic says he feels like the “good men” at the broadcaster have let women down after a damning report uncovered a “desolate and dark” workplace where employees were sexually harassed and objectified.

Stefanovic called for more people across Nine’s broadcast and publishing divisions to call out toxic cultures that were aired in a bombshell independent report published on Thursday.

It was backed by harrowing testimony from current and former staff, who spoke of their despair, fear and horror about workplace misconduct that had not been addressed.

Speaking on the Today Show on Friday, Stefanovic said “many people were hurting” following the revelations.

“So a quick word on all this. I genuinely, genuinely feel for the women who have given testimony. I can’t imagine how hard that was and the courage that it took,” he said.

“Many people are hurting. They feel like what was the point of speaking out if perpetrators are not called out.

“I asked the same question yesterday and it’s my understanding several investigations are now under way and we have to be patient for the process of all that. It’s essential and it’s critical.

“I want to say it’s not about us, but there are good men who do work here at Nine who find what happened absolutely intolerable, who struggle to understand how we didn’t know more and do something, how it grieved you.

“I feel like we have all in a way, let you down. I love my work colleagues here. Women I have the honour to present with, women on the floor of this great show, women behind the scenes who make us all better.

Stefanovic added: “I’m grateful women are this company and they are the way forward. They will show the way. We just have to listen and act. But it’s going to be up to all of us now to do better, to say enough. This stops now.”

While the consultancy firm behind the review, found the misbehaviour extended into Nine’s publishing and radio arm, which includes the Australian Financial Review newspaper and Perth’s 6PR radio station, the broadcasting business was the biggest problem spot.

In one testimony, a respondent said the workplace was described as “punishment island”.

“A desolate and dark place no one wants to be. And if you’re not on “punishment island” that month, seeing your friends and colleagues there is just as distressing,” they said.

Some 62 per cent of broadcast employees reported experiencing or witnessing abuse of power, 57 per cent experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment, and 30 per cent experienced sexual harassment.

Nine has vowed to implement all 22 of the landmark report’s recommendations, including overhauling its HR department, reviewing its code of conduct and appointing external parties to investigate workplace complaints.

Stefanovic continued by saying he was “grateful” for woman at the company and that they would “show the way” for the industries future.

“We just have to listen and act. But it’s going to be up to all of us now to do better, to say enough. This stops now.”

Co-presenter Sarah Abo described the findings as “gut-wrenching and devastating” when speaking alongside Stefanovic on Friday.

“Some of the quotes were too hard to read. ‘He tried to groom me’. ‘She’s a toxic bully’. ‘Her M.O. was to create a culture of fear’,” she said.

“It’s simply unacceptable behaviour. These were common and repeated sentiments, the only solace being the incredible collegial support found among peers.”

“There was real hope this report would bring about change, but the hurt remains, and many are deeply disappointed. Some are angry and there’s concern about whether those responsible will be held to account.”

According to the report, employees feared being ostracised, victimised or demoted if they took their complaints to managers or Nine’s HR department.

The review found the Channel 9 owner had “a systemic issue” with abuse of power, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment, and that management failed in its responsibilities to protect staff who were sometimes driven to the point of self-harm.