Seven network bosses have demanded a complete media blackout to protect their biggest stars in the latest legal stoush to engulf the embattled channel.
Former Spotlight reporter Amelia Saw is taking the TV station to court over damning allegations that are believed to relate to the conduct of staff on the flagship series.
But Seven has applied for a order to suppress all details of the case from being made public and their plea will be heard at a new Federal Court hearing this week.
Access to court documents relating to the case – including Saw’s statement of claim against the station – have been blocked from release ahead of the first hearing.
It’s understood network chiefs are concerned top names from the primetime current affairs show – including Liam Bartlett, Micheal Usher, Ross Coulthart and Denham Hitchcock – would be dragged into the legal row.
However it’s understood none of the allegations relate to the big stars and are focused on one former staffer and general working conditions on the show.
Former Spotlight reporter Amelia Saw is taking the TV station to court over damning allegations that are believed to relate to the conduct of staff on the flagship series
It’s understood network chiefs are concerned top names including Liam Bartlett, Micheal Usher, Ross Coulthart and Denham Hitchcock (pictured) would be dragged into the legal row
Seven has been reeling from repeated media blows since being caught up in Bruce Lehrmann’s failed defamation action against Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.
Ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbrach alleged in court that he had wooed Lehrmann with sex workers, drugs, fancy meals and Thai masseuses to get him to sign with the network.
Lehrmann later inked an exclusive deal to tell his side of the story on Spotlight in 2023 in return for TV bosses paying for his rent at a ritzy unit for a year.
In the wake of that scandal, executive producer Mark Llewellyn left the network in mid-April, followed by Seven’s news and current affairs boss Craig McPherson.
Star Seven reporter Robert Ovadia was later sacked after allegations were made against him over his behaviour towards female members of staff.
He also launched legal action against Seven claiming wrongful dismissal, but dropped the legal action after Seven alleged they had received multiple new complaints against him from 13 other women staffers.
Michael Usher (pictured with Nat Barr) is one of Seven’s biggest stars
Ovadia strongly denied the allegations, but said he was withdrawing because of the financial and emotional toll of the court battle against the media giant.
Justice Nye Perram will hear the merits of the network’s latest bid to shut down the release of details of the latest allegations against the network on Friday.
A Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Seven Network strongly and categorically rejects the allegations by Amelia Saw as reported by media.’
Saw refused to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
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