Multiple women have come forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior by former Channel Nine head of news and current affairs, Darren Wick. One reporter described feeling like she was being treated as a “piece of arse” by Wick and regretted not speaking up sooner. Another woman detailed incidents of “alcohol-fuelled grope sessions” happening at public functions such as staff Christmas parties and the Logies. She described his behavior as “sneaky arse-rubbing” and “weird kisses” that were done in front of staff members.
Many employees in the newsroom were aware of Wick’s inappropriate behavior, particularly at events where alcohol was involved. Despite this knowledge, staff were hesitant to speak up due to fear of repercussions for their own careers. One woman recounted Wick’s behavior towards her at the Logies, where he made her feel humiliated and embarrassed by his actions. Another woman shared a disturbing encounter where Wick followed her and tried to force his way into her hotel room, leaving her feeling vulnerable and upset.
The culture of fear within the newsroom prevented many employees from speaking out about Wick’s behavior, as they were concerned about the potential consequences for their careers. Female colleagues warned each other to avoid being seated next to Wick at functions where alcohol was present. Some women shared stories of being sexually harassed by Wick in public settings and feeling powerless to address the issue due to his position of authority.
Despite formal complaints being raised against Wick, it took a long time for any action to be taken by Nine management. The network received a historical complaint about Wick, which led to an external review, but it was ultimately decided that there was no way back for him. Wick announced his departure from Nine in March, citing fatigue as the reason for leaving. Following recent media reports of the allegations against Wick, many employees were angry at management’s failure to address the issue sooner and be transparent about the reasons for his departure.
In response to the allegations, Nine CEO Mike Sneesby emphasized the importance of addressing inappropriate behavior in the workplace promptly. However, many women within the newsroom felt that management had known about Wick’s behavior for years and had failed to take action. Women in the industry are now calling for greater accountability and transparency when it comes to dealing with sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace. Wick is now facing legal action from one of the complainants, and the network is under scrutiny for its handling of the situation.
