'I apologise': TVNZ CEO sorry for claim Kamahl Santamaria quit over 'family emergency', head of news on leave & More Trending News

TVNZ’s chief government Simon Power has issued an apology to employees for the state-owned broadcaster claiming Kamahl Santamaria quit over a “family emergency”.

Stuff understands Power addressed employees this afternoon, saying the outline was “wrong” and as chief government “I apologise”.

The growth coincides with TVNZ’s head of news and present affairs, Paul Yurisich, going on leave because the aftermath of the saga continues.

Santamaria’s resignation was introduced by TVNZ on Saturday – lasting simply 32 days as a presenter on Breakfast.

But the day after TVNZ publicly claimed his exit was right down to a “family emergency”, Stuff broke the news that TVNZ’s claim was not the complete story – with not less than one feminine within the newsroom complaining about inappropriate behaviour from Santamaria.

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Santamaria was recruited by Yurisich, who labored with Santamaria at Al Jazeera.

TVNZ has regularly refused to reply to questions from Stuff about Santamaria, together with the method through which he was employed. Stuff understands issues had been raised with Yurisich over Santamaria’s recruitment.

Yurisich is now on leave whereas an exterior evaluation – ordered by Power – is carried out by an employment lawyer into TVNZ’s hiring practices.

TVNZ’s editor of newsgathering, Phil O’Sullivan, is now performing head of news and present affairs. Stuff understands O’Sullivan is well-respected within the TVNZ newsroom.

“Paul Yurisich has decided to take leave during the period of the review,” a TVNZ spokesperson mentioned.

“Phil O’Sullivan will be taking on the head of news and current affairs’ responsibilities during that time.”

On Tuesday, Stuff obtained a leaked e-mail from Power through which he admitted there have been “many lessons learned over the last few days”. He didn’t, nevertheless, say what these classes had been.

He additionally mentioned employment lawyer Margaret Robins had been employed to “review our policies, processes and practices to ensure they are fit for purpose and appropriately robust”.

Power instructed employees “we do not tolerate harassment or inappropriate behaviour” – the primary time TVNZ had acknowledged the difficulty of harassment since Santamaria quit.

“We do not tolerate any form of harassment or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. We’re committed to providing a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.

“This is of the utmost importance.”

Power mentioned the suggestions of the evaluation could be “shared with all TVNZers”.

Santamaria returned to New Zealand after round 16 years presenting news bulletins for Al Jazeera in Qatar.

On Tuesday Stuff revealed a lewd e-mail despatched by Santamaria throughout his employment at Al Jazeera.

The e-mail, subject-lined “At the risk of embarrassing you…” was despatched by Santamaria to a younger, feminine, then-colleague within the Doha workplace of the revered international TV community.

In the doc, Santamaria overtly objectifies the looks of the recipient, and, a second Al Jazeera colleague.

The e-mail reads: “.. there is no more attractive outfit on a woman than the white blouse/black skirt combo…… and YOU are making it work, baby ????

“(Between you and [name withheld], I may just combust!!)”

Santamaria signed off the e-mail with three kisses “Xxx”.

Stuff has interviewed the recipient of the e-mail, who additionally mentioned Santamaria tried to kiss her – within the Al Jazeera newsroom – on not less than two events.

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