Channel Seven insiders reveal the ‘soul-destroying’ work environment that led to a young female reporter throwing herself in front of a moving car

A young Channel Seven reporter who suffered from “crippling” anxiety stepped in front of a moving car earlier this year after complaining about the treatment she received at the network.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed she worked “extremely long” hours for a salary slightly higher than minimum wage and that her life went into a “spiral.”

She was just one of many other women who were involved with the The four corners of ABC about the work culture at Seven, which they described as “toxic” and “soul-destroying.”

On March 8, the journalist told her superiors at the network’s Brisbane office atop Mt Coot-tha that she wanted another job. But she claims she was told she had to stay for another six months.

“I can only describe it as: it felt like there was a noose around my neck,” she said.

‘[I] felt like she was in a committed relationship with domestic violence [Seven News].

At 10:45 that day, her concerned colleague received a phone call saying, “They won’t let me go,” “I’ve ruined my career,” “I want to get hit by a car.”

Just five minutes later, the reporter jumped in front of a vehicle.

A young Channel Seven reporter who suffers from “crippling” anxiety stepped in front of a moving car earlier this year, moments after complaining about her treatment at the network. Pictured: The network’s Brisbane office at the top of Mt Coot-tha

“I’m completely devastated,” the woman said.

‘I saw a car coming towards me further on. I ran in front of it, hoping it would hit me.

“It stopped. I ran to find another car. I saw the edge of the cliff at Mt Coot-tha and I jumped. I went tumbling down the hill, through the bushes.”

She was taken to hospital and never worked at Seven again.

The shocking allegations come at a time of turmoil for the network, amid mass layoffs, declining ratings and testimony from a former Spotlight producer in a civil lawsuit alleging that interview candidate Bruce Lehrman was supplied with prostitutes and cocaine.

Mr Lehrmann and Channel Seven deny the allegations.

“It’s one of the most degrading, soul-destroying places you can work,” former Channel Seven reporter Olivia Babb told the programme.

‘Sometimes I feel like I’m dying inside when I go to work every day.’

Seven reporter Olivia Babb (pictured) claimed she – like other women – was ‘bullied and harassed’ during her time at Seven

The journalist claimed that she – like other women – was ‘bullied and harassed’ during her time at Seven.

“I wanted to go to HR because I was being verbally attacked,” she said.

“My boss looked at me and said, ‘Well, if we go to HR, it’s going to be even more work for me.’”

“Do you really think #MeToo made any difference to Seven?” she asks. “I’ve never seen anything come along that makes us think that it even happened, that Seven even knew about #MeToo.”

A senior TV reporter who was sacked in June as part of a 150-staff cut at Seven West is alleged to have sent a series of strangely edited images to a young female journalist before being dumped by the network.

According to a former colleague, the veteran crime reporter allegedly took photos from a producer’s personal Instagram page and “caricatured” them before sharing them with her.

“The photos weren’t edited in a sexual way, they were just weird,” the source recently told Daily Mail Australia.

A senior TV reporter who was sacked in June as part of a 150-staff cut at Seven West is alleged to have sent a series of strangely edited images to a young female journalist before being dumped by the network

They showed [the young woman] in a tight cocktail dress with a champagne glass in his hand (like in a cartoon) and he wore a cape with a sword and shield, as if he were some kind of knight in shining armor.’

Ovadia worked at the network for 23 years and was fired after the program learned of the footage and began inquiring about it.

The junior producer, who no longer works at Channel 7, reportedly never officially complained about the image.

Ovadia strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behavior and is now suing the network.

Another reporter working in Sydney, who also wished to remain anonymous, alleged she was “sexually harassed” by a cameraman, was not allowed to wear glasses while broadcasting and had to hand her stories over to her male colleagues.

She is now suing the network after she was hospitalized for her mental health.

The shocking allegations come amid a tumultuous time for the TV station, with mass layoffs, declining ratings and recent testimony in civil court from a former Spotlight producer who claims interviewee Bruce Lehrman was supplied with prostitutes and cocaine.

Attorney Josh Bornstein, who has several clients who have worked at Seven, said the network requires employees to sign a confidentiality agreement if they allege sexual harassment or bullying.

“They try to create the illusion that they are a robust, pleasant place to work and that they play a public role in groundbreaking journalism,” Bornstein said.

‘What the NDAs do is hide the reality of a brutal work culture where women in particular are treated very badly and routinely.

“It’s an unusually cruel culture. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Before Monday’s episode of Four Corners, the network’s new boss apologized to staff and promised to do better.

Jeff Howard, CEO and General Manager of Seven West Media, addressed all employees in an email, assuring them that management is evaluating policies, procedures and culture.

“A number of people who exhibited behavior inconsistent with SWM’s values ​​have already been removed from the organization,” he wrote.

‘I want to make it very clear that the actions of some individuals do not reflect the values, behaviour and attitudes of the company as a whole, which is home to some of the best, hardest working and most passionate media professionals in Australia.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for further comment.