Nine Entertainment has systemic issues with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment according to a report provided to its board and shared on its website.

The report is so bad that it comes with its own warning: "The content of this report contains references to distressing experiences of inappropriate workplace behaviour including abuse of power or authority, bullying, discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment. The report contains quotes from people who have experienced these behaviours and refers to their serious impact, including suicide."

According to the review, "Nearly a third of Broadcast employees (30 per cent) reported experiencing sexual harassment, with sexually suggestive comments or jokes and intrusive questions about appearance or private life being common behaviours."

In addition, 62 per cent of Broadcast employees experienced abuse of power or authority and 57 per cent experienced bullying, discrimination, or harassment.

The investigation of the workplace experience at Nine was also found to be gendered. "Women experienced all forms of inappropriate workplace behaviours at higher rates than men:

• abuse of power or authority (women: 55%, men: 49%)
• bullying, discrimination or harassment (women: 55%, men: 44%)
• sexual harassment (women: 35%, men: 15%).

"The experience across divisions varied. However, the data clearly shows that inappropriate workplace
behaviours are most prevalent in the Broadcast, Radio and Stan Divisions."

The review, conducted by organisational culture firm Intersection, has unearthed systemic issues within the company, including abuse of power, bullying, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment.

After a company-wide survey and interviews with members of the TV News & Current Affairs department a review identified a lack of leadership accountability, power imbalances, gender inequality, lack of diversity, and significant distrust in leaders as factors driving these behaviours.

"Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation. The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable. Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct is not okay. This behaviour has no place at Nine," said Catherine West, Nine Chair.

The report made 22 recommendations for changes required to reset the culture at Nine. The Nine Board has committed to implementing all 22 recommendations and will provide a comprehensive action plan to uplift the company’s culture in November 2024.

"To any individual who has experienced inappropriate conduct that does not meet the values of Nine, we are deeply sorry. On behalf of the Board, I unreservedly apologise," West added.

Nine's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton, expressed his distress over the findings. "The Intersection report makes for hard reading for the many people who love working for Nine and all that we stand for. It was personally distressing for me to read these stories from our people. The behaviour experienced by many of our people right across the business is not acceptable in any workplace and falls well below what our people should expect in the work environment."

Natasha de Silva, Intersection Principal, highlighted the significance of the review. "This report reflects the findings from the most comprehensive review of culture ever undertaken in the Australian media sector. While our review contains sobering findings, the strong survey participation rate is an indication of the willingness of the Nine workforce to be part of the cultural change."