Stevens said the “most disturbing aspect” of the report was accounts from Indigenous and culturally diverse employees of experiencing racism and cultural insensitivity while working in the news division.
“To anyone in news who has ever experienced any racism or bigotry in our workplace,current and former news employees,as director,news I would like to express my sorrow for that and make a heartfelt apology,” Stevens said in the email,sent on Thursday. “I am sorry.”
Stevens took over the powerful role of news director in April after he was promoted from executive producer of7.30.
Outlining the “toxic behaviour” some non-white staff members have experienced,Stevens said:“Some feel they’re not welcomed into or embraced by the workplace and other team members as they ought to be.
“Some feel their voices are not heard in team discussions as they ought to be.
“Some feel that at times there aren’t enough support mechanisms in place when something occurs and that,even when a formal complaint is made,processes aren’t always adequate.”
He said culturally diverse staff members also said they were subject to especially intense abuse on social media and via email after they work on stories.