News station under fire for ‘Sexy Santa’ dance at staff meeting

Channel 7 has come under fire after footage of a dance troupe of “sexy Santas” emerged from what has been described as a routine staff meeting.

The meeting of Seven Network parent company Seven West Media in Perth is said to have been held on Friday and was aimed at introducing new appointments, including Chris Dore as newsman. The Western AustralianNew editor-in-chief, Sarah-Jane Tasker as first female editor and Adrian Lowe as first LGBT appointment as head of weekend paper The Sunday Times.

Deputy news director Ray Kuka was discussing upcoming programs, including the broadcast of the annual Perth Christmas Pageant on December 7, when Mariah Carey Everything I want for ChristmasIt started playing, as first reported in the AFR.

Then a group of dancers wearing Santa hats and short red dresses appeared on stage.

A photo of the event was shared online and drew heavy criticism, with some saying it was a scene straight out of the 1980s.

Female staff reportedly reacted in shock, with some walking out in protest.

“OMG if they thought that was even remotely appropriate given everything we’ve uncovered about them, the cultural makeup of that organization is badly broken,” wrote one person online.

“This will help fix the culture issues that have been discovered.”

A spokesperson for Seven West Media defended the dancers, explaining they were part of the Christmas pageant, which is a “Perth institution”.

News.com.au has contacted Seven West Media for comment.

The incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny over alleged inappropriate behavior on the network.

In recent weeks, veteran Sydney journalist Robert Ovadia launched legal action in the Federal Court against the company.

Ovadia stepped down on June 21 following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior.

Earlier this month, Ovadia filed proceedings in the Federal Court against the Seven Network and its head of news, Anthony De Ceglie.

Ovadia has claimed that Seven told him that no complaint had been made against him.

“Any suggestion that I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false, malicious and will be defended.”

For its part, Seven has said it takes any retaliatory allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and other inappropriate behavior “seriously”.

Ryan Stokes, managing director of Seven Group Holdings Ltd, recently addressed inappropriate behavior in the media, calling it an “industry-wide problem”.

Seven West Media takes a dip

Seven West Media published its full year results last Wednesday, days after an ABC investigation reported misogynistic behavior by senior staff in multiple newsrooms.

Shares in Seven West Media and parent company Seven Holdings Group had fallen since the ABC report on Monday, but Wednesday’s financial results saw early gains in both stocks.

Pre-tax profit fell 65 per cent to $67 million at Seven West Media this financial year.

Statutory net profit after tax fell 69 percent to $45 million. Revenue decreased by 4.9 percent. Still, traders were buying in early trading on Wednesday, with the share price rising more than 6 percent in the first hour.

“A softer economic and advertising environment and an evolving media landscape have challenged traditional media business models,” chairman Kerry Stokes wrote in the results.

“We call on the federal government to support the domestic media industry in maintaining a fair and level playing field by forcing foreign-owned operators to fully comply with the Australian regulatory environment.”