An Australian news channel, Seven West Media, has come under fire after footage of a group of scantily clad “sexy Santas” dancing during a staff meeting went viral. The meeting, held on Friday in Perth, was intended to introduce Chris Dore as the new editor-in-chief of The West Australian, Sarah-Jane Tasker as its first female editor, and Adrian Lowe as the first LGBTQ+ appointment at The Sunday Times weekend edition.
A Seven West Media staff meeting last Friday featured women dancers dressed as sexy Santas. I thought this was a parody news report until I saw it confirmed by numerous news media. So Seven is STILL stuck in the 1970’s. 🙄 #media #sexism #journalism pic.twitter.com/mf0XxFyh9N
— Peter Murphy (@PeterWMurphy1) August 27, 2024
The standard business meeting took an unexpected turn when four female dancers, dressed in short red dresses and Santa hats, took the stage and performed a routine to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas.” The dance took place in front of Deputy News Director Ray Kuka, who participated by drumming on his desk before joining the dancers in a can-can line.
The event quickly drew harsh criticism online, with many accusing the company of inappropriate and outdated behavior. Some female employees reportedly left the meeting in protest, expressing shock at the spectacle. One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “This does not belong in any workplace. I would cringe if that happened where I worked. It demeans EVERYBODY.”
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for Seven West Media defended the inclusion of the dancers, stating that they were part of the “Perth institution” known as the Christmas Pageant. Sarah-Jane Tasker, one of the newly appointed editors, told The Guardian Australia that the meeting was designed as an “upfront-style presentation” complete with pyrotechnics and sizzle reels, and that the media’s reaction to the event was “way over the top.”
This incident comes on the heels of an ABC’s Four Corners program episode that alleged a culture of sexual harassment within Seven West Media. The episode faced legal challenges, leading to the removal of certain scenes before broadcast. This included an interview with Amber Harrison, the former mistress of ex-Seven CEO Tim Worner, which was heavily promoted but ultimately edited out.
In June, Seven West Media faced further controversy when veteran journalist Robert O
vadia was dismissed following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague. Ovadia, who was a senior investigative reporter and fill-in presenter for Seven’s flagship news program, has denied the allegations and is pursuing legal action against the network for wrongful termination.
The ABC investigation into Seven West Media has had financial implications for the company. Reports from Sky News indicate that shares of Seven Holdings Group, the parent company, and Seven West Media saw a decline following the broadcast. However, after the release of the company’s financial results on Wednesday, both stocks experienced early gains.
The “sexy Santas” incident has added fuel to ongoing concerns about workplace culture within Seven West Media. As the company navigates through the public criticism and legal challenges, the focus remains on how it will address these issues and maintain its reputation in the media industry.
