Seven network bosses have demanded a complete media blackout to protect their biggest stars in the latest legal battle to engulf the embattled channel.
Former Spotlight reporter Amelia Saw is taking the TV station to court over damning allegations allegedly related to the conduct of the flagship series’ staff.
But Seven has applied for an injunction to prevent full details of the case being made public and their plea will be heard at a new Federal Court hearing this week.
Access to court documents related to the case – including Saw’s statement of claim against the station – has been blocked from release before the initial hearing.
It is understood network chiefs are concerned that top names from the primetime current affairs program – including Liam Bartlett, Micheal Usher, Ross Coulthart and Denham Hitchcock – could be dragged into the legal battle.
However, it is understood that none of the allegations involve the major stars and are focused on a former employee and general working conditions on the show.
Former Spotlight reporter Amelia Saw is taking the TV station to court over damning allegations allegedly related to the conduct of the flagship series’ staff
It’s understood network chiefs are concerned that top names including Liam Bartlett, Micheal Usher, Ross Coulthart and Denham Hitchcock (pictured) could be dragged into the legal queue
Seven has suffered repeated media blows since becoming involved in Bruce Lehrmann’s failed libel action against Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.
Ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbrach claimed in court that he persuaded Lehrmann with sex workers, drugs, fancy meals and Thai masseuses to get him to sign with the network.
Lehrmann later struck an exclusive deal to tell his side of the story on Spotlight in 2023, in exchange for TV bosses paying his rent for a year in a swanky unit.
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 fired after allegations were made against him about his behavior towards female staff members.
He also initiated legal action against Seven for wrongful dismissal, but dropped the legal action after Seven claimed they had received multiple new complaints against him from 13 other female staffers.
Michael Usher (pictured with Nat Barr) is one of Seven’s biggest stars
Ovadia strongly denied the allegations but said he withdrew because of the financial and emotional toll of the lawsuit against the media giant.
Judge Nye Perram will hear Friday the merits of the network’s latest bid to halt the release of details of the latest allegations against the network.
A spokesperson for Seven told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Seven Network strongly and categorically rejects the allegations made by Amelia Saw as reported by the media.’
Saw declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
