On-air talent reveals shocking allegations against ex-Channel Nine news chief
- Replies 8
In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the media landscape, a former Channel Nine boss has been accused of fostering a toxic workplace culture and engaging in sexual harassment.
Darren Wick, the network's ex-Director of News and Current Affairs, is at the centre of bombshell claims made by an on-air talent who has chosen to remain anonymous for fear of professional repercussions.
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of a high-ranking media figure using his position of power to overstep boundaries and create an environment where female staff felt uncomfortable and disrespected.
The anonymous presenter alleged that during a Gold Coast Logies afterparty, she was subjected to Wick's unwanted advances.
‘On the dance floor at the Gold Coast Logies afterparty, he was gropey, he had his hands everywhere, breathing heavily in my ear, I had to peel him off me,’ the talent said.
‘Any other man I might have kicked or pushed, but he was my boss.’
This incident is not isolated, as the presenter claimed that Wick's heavy drinking and invasive behaviour were well-known and often discussed among the staff.
The presenter added: ‘He would often get in women’s personal space. We were revolted by him.’
Despite raising her concerns with a board member and Nine's Head of Corporate Affairs, Victoria Buchan, the presenter felt that no meaningful action was taken.
‘Victoria Buchan’s job involved working with the talent, including young women. She would brush aside any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour, saying, “That’s just Wickie.”’
‘I think she could have stood up to the sexist attitudes, but she was in cahoots with Darren Wick,’ the presenter continued.
It is understood that Victoria Buchan has not responded to Sky News’ request for comment at this time.
The culture of silence and inaction reportedly extended beyond individual complaints. More than a dozen current and former Nine employees have spoken out about a workplace environment that they allege enabled Wick's inappropriate behaviour.
One woman described the difficulty women faced working with and under Wick, saying, 'Everybody, women, in particular, has experienced it.'
‘Not anything as serious as a physical assault, but a culture that makes it difficult for you to do your work,’ the woman added.
‘At one stage we were calling him a cockroach and saying he is impossible to (metaphorically) kill. He was just someone we had to work around in our professional lives.’
In the wake of these allegations, Channel Nine has stated that no formal complaint was made regarding the incident in question.
However, an external law firm was engaged to investigate a complaint, which they were unable to substantiate.
It is important to note that the allegations have not been proven, and they are not suggested as the reason for Wick's departure from the network.
The response from Channel Nine's leadership has been to reinforce the company's stance against inappropriate behaviour.
CEO Mike Sneesby issued an all-staff email, leaked to The Australian, urging employees to report any misconduct and assuring them that complaints could be raised confidentially.
The email read: ‘It is important for everyone at Nine to know that we don’t tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and want to know if there is inappropriate behaviour occurring so that it can be addressed promptly.’
‘If you want to make a complaint about treatment in the workplace, you can speak to your leader, your People and Culture representative or any of the leadership team.’
‘To be very clear, managing these matters is sensitive, and it is imperative that we protect all involved—this involves maintaining confidentiality of the nature of the complaint and at times the outcomes.’
Wick's tenure at Nine spanned nearly three decades, with the last 13 years as the Director of News, overseeing prominent programs such as A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, and Today.
His career has not been without controversy, as he was previously embroiled in a drink-driving scandal in 2020, narrowly avoiding jail time.
Wick left the network in March after a prolonged period of leave, which began in January.
As of publishing, Darren Wick has not released any statements.
As our members, many of whom have navigated professional landscapes for years, reflect on these allegations, we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. How do you believe companies should handle such serious accusations? Let us know in the comments below.
Darren Wick, the network's ex-Director of News and Current Affairs, is at the centre of bombshell claims made by an on-air talent who has chosen to remain anonymous for fear of professional repercussions.
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of a high-ranking media figure using his position of power to overstep boundaries and create an environment where female staff felt uncomfortable and disrespected.
The anonymous presenter alleged that during a Gold Coast Logies afterparty, she was subjected to Wick's unwanted advances.
Former Channel Nine news boss Darren Wick was accused of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. Image source: X (Twitter)
‘On the dance floor at the Gold Coast Logies afterparty, he was gropey, he had his hands everywhere, breathing heavily in my ear, I had to peel him off me,’ the talent said.
‘Any other man I might have kicked or pushed, but he was my boss.’
This incident is not isolated, as the presenter claimed that Wick's heavy drinking and invasive behaviour were well-known and often discussed among the staff.
The presenter added: ‘He would often get in women’s personal space. We were revolted by him.’
Despite raising her concerns with a board member and Nine's Head of Corporate Affairs, Victoria Buchan, the presenter felt that no meaningful action was taken.
‘Victoria Buchan’s job involved working with the talent, including young women. She would brush aside any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour, saying, “That’s just Wickie.”’
‘I think she could have stood up to the sexist attitudes, but she was in cahoots with Darren Wick,’ the presenter continued.
It is understood that Victoria Buchan has not responded to Sky News’ request for comment at this time.
The culture of silence and inaction reportedly extended beyond individual complaints. More than a dozen current and former Nine employees have spoken out about a workplace environment that they allege enabled Wick's inappropriate behaviour.
One woman described the difficulty women faced working with and under Wick, saying, 'Everybody, women, in particular, has experienced it.'
‘Not anything as serious as a physical assault, but a culture that makes it difficult for you to do your work,’ the woman added.
‘At one stage we were calling him a cockroach and saying he is impossible to (metaphorically) kill. He was just someone we had to work around in our professional lives.’
In the wake of these allegations, Channel Nine has stated that no formal complaint was made regarding the incident in question.
However, an external law firm was engaged to investigate a complaint, which they were unable to substantiate.
It is important to note that the allegations have not been proven, and they are not suggested as the reason for Wick's departure from the network.
The response from Channel Nine's leadership has been to reinforce the company's stance against inappropriate behaviour.
CEO Mike Sneesby issued an all-staff email, leaked to The Australian, urging employees to report any misconduct and assuring them that complaints could be raised confidentially.
The email read: ‘It is important for everyone at Nine to know that we don’t tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and want to know if there is inappropriate behaviour occurring so that it can be addressed promptly.’
‘If you want to make a complaint about treatment in the workplace, you can speak to your leader, your People and Culture representative or any of the leadership team.’
‘To be very clear, managing these matters is sensitive, and it is imperative that we protect all involved—this involves maintaining confidentiality of the nature of the complaint and at times the outcomes.’
Wick's tenure at Nine spanned nearly three decades, with the last 13 years as the Director of News, overseeing prominent programs such as A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, and Today.
His career has not been without controversy, as he was previously embroiled in a drink-driving scandal in 2020, narrowly avoiding jail time.
Wick left the network in March after a prolonged period of leave, which began in January.
As of publishing, Darren Wick has not released any statements.
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