Australian TV reporter ‘sacked’ after allegations of ‘inappropriate conduct’
Veteran Seven reporter Robert Ovadia has confirmed that he has been sacked by the network, following allegations of “inappropriate conduct” towards a woman.
“Yes I’ve been sacked and there will be more to say about that in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time,” Ovadia told The Australian today.
The Sydney-based reporter had worked at Seven for 23 years.
Earlier this month, a network spokeswoman told NCA Newswire that Ovadia was “on leave.”
“Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by Robert Ovadia,” the spokeswoman confirmed.
In his own statement at the time, Ovadia said he would defend the “malicious” allegations.
“Seven has told me no current or former colleague has made any complaint against me,” he said in a statement to the ABC.
“As far as I am aware, I have not been stood down by the company.
“Any suggestion I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false, malicious and will be defended.”
He also used his Instagram account to share multiple messages of support he’d received since news of the investigation had surfaced.
A two-time Walkley award winner, Ovadia works as an investigative reporter and occasional presenter from Seven’s Sydney newsroom.
News.com.au has today approached the Seven Network for comment.
News of Ovadia’s sacking comes amid a challenging period for Seven, with the controversy around Bruce Lehrmann’s Spotlight interview dominating headlines in recent months.
It was revealed in court that Seven had paid Lehrmann’s rent, $10,000 in Thai massages and other wild expenses in their bid to secure the exclusive interview.
Several of Seven’s big power players, including news boss Craig McPherson and Spotlight executive producer Craig McPherson, left the network in the wake of those revelations.
And yesterday came another departure, that of veteran news chief Neil Warren.
News.com.au Political Editor Sam Maiden reports that the ABC’s Four Corners is now believed to be preparing a major investigation into workplace culture at the network.
