TV doyenne Kerri-Anne Kennerley has given some choice quotes around her days at the Nine network, as the network reviews its management and staff behaviour, amide reports of bullying and harrassment.
It follows allegations levelled at former news boss Darren Wick, the exit of Chair Peter Costello and complaints against senior staff.
“History has just repeated itself,” Kennerley has told The Australian.
“I experienced the Nine culture, professionally and personally, over decades, and it is learned behaviour. Bad behaviour and bad management skills, or lack of them, was wrong, it always was wrong, but the perpetrators got away with it because they learned from senior management.
“It was entrenched by senior people (who had gone) before them.”
Kennerley hosted Midday from 1996–1998 and Kerri-Anne / Mornings with Kerri-Anne from 2002 – 2011.
“The management style was to pit people and shows against each other, in the assumption that would get the best out of them,” she said.
“That included bullying and foul language and intimidation and extreme behaviour.”
She also had a long tenancy at Network 10 notably with Good Morning Australia 1981–1991 and Studio 10 from 2018 – 2020.
Nine’s review conducted by Intersection will include input from ex-employees who departed within the past two years.
Updated: On Monday Nine CEO Mike Sneesby sent staff an email.
“We are committed to ensuring that Nine’s culture is one where everyone feels respected, valued and included,” he wrote.
“That culture can only be delivered by acknowledging the issues of the past, recognising the changes in our present, and focusing on an energising future.
“We all have a role to play in making Nine the organisation we want it to be.
“Your participation in the review is completely anonymous.
“We will share the findings of the review once it is completed.”