Today show reporter Airlie Walsh has reached a confidential settlement with Nine after launching an explosive sex discrimination case against the network in the Federal Court.
The popular journalist said she had been inspired to take on her employers and ‘right a number of wrongs’ after seeing a number of her colleagues come forward during the network’s dire culture review.
The confidential settlement will see her part ways with the Nine network.
‘After 15 years with Nine Entertainment, in October 2023 I made the difficult decision to engage lawyers and try to right a number of wrongs,’ Walsh said in a statement.
‘During this time, more women bravely came forward, Nine conducted a culture review, and many of my broadcast colleagues contributed their experiences. In doing so, I was buoyed. It turns out, courage is contagious.
‘While this isn’t the way I wanted to leave Nine, I’m filled with gratitude towards those who made me a better journalist and person, and I’m relieved the legal process has been resolved.
‘For now, I won’t be making any further statements. My focus is on healing.’
Nine declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. However, sources within the network confirmed the matter had been resolved.
Airlie Walsh has reached a confidential settlement with Nine Entertainment after filing a human rights claim in the Federal Court last month
Walsh has worked at Nine since 2008, first at Weekend Today before joining the Nine Sydney News team in 2013
Walsh commenced legal proceedings against Nine in the Federal Court in December after filing a human rights sexual discrimination complaint.
The specific details of the Today show star’s claim have never been aired publicly but it is understood they relate to historic interactions with a number of senior executives within the embattled media company.
Given she has settled with the network, her claims are now destined to remain under wraps.
Nine staffers rallied around Walsh and offered their full support after it first came to light she was suing the network for discrimination.
Walsh even received the public backing of one of the media company’s biggest names after Nine Radio star Ben Fordham gave her glowing reference on air, describing her as ‘a first-class human’ and ‘a thoroughly decent and honest person’.
‘There is a story… today involving someone I know well,’ he told his top-rating breakfast show audience last month.
‘I just wanted to say this about Airlie Walsh… first of all, I have not discussed the matter with her at all, so I’m not privy to any of the details of Airlie’s complaint … but I’ve known Airlie for a long time.
‘They say she’s been with Channel Nine for 16 years. I reckon I would have met Airlie 16 years ago, because I can remember, as a reporter, she was a work experience kid.
‘Then she became a producer, then she became a reporter – and a fine reporter at that.
‘And I believe Airlie Walsh to be a thoroughly decent and honest person and I will be watching with interest what happens with her case.
Ben Fordham has voiced his support for Walsh, describing her as ‘a first-class human being’
Ousted Queensland news boss Amanda Paterson is still suing Nine for unfair dismissal
‘She’s a first-class human being, a very good reporter and, Airlie, I’m thinking of you this morning.’
Walsh, who is currently on maternity leave, has worked at Nine since 2008, first at Weekend Today before joining the Nine Sydney News team in 2013.
The married mother-of-one has long been considered one of the network’s most polished and professional journalists.
Although Walsh’s dispute with the network is now resolved, Nine is still ensconced in a legal battle with ousted Queensland news director Amanda Paterson, who is suing her former employer for wrongful dismissal.
The one-time A Current Affair reporter claims she was unceremoniously sacked during a seven-minute Zoom call with the network’s national news director, Fiona Dear, in November.
She claims the new boss cited a string of trivial workplace offences, including her failure to complete the network’s online training modules, as the reason for her dismissal.
Paterson is now seeking damages and demanding Nine reinstate her in her former role – although that seems more than a little unlikely given she has already been replaced by respected Nine colleague Brendan Hockings.
