THERE are no concerns about an Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation into the suspension of three on-air staff at TVN this week.
CHRIS ROOTS reports in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD that TVN acting chief executive Stephen Dole said Bruce Clark, Caroline Searcy and Dean Pettit had accepted they had made serious errors in judgment and engaged in gross misconduct.
However, Dole indicated it was simply ''a human resources matter'' within the organisation rather than ''cash for comment''. ''They have accepted their suspensions and at the end of three months they will return on the same conditions and wages,'' Dole said. ''I think that is where this will finish.''
The suspensions relate to a share in the imported galloper Hathras but there was no suggestion comment was required from the TVN staff. Australian Bloodstock, which syndicated Hathras, is being investigated by stewards.
Fairfax Media has learnt the matter has been the centre of internal investigation since last year and the ambiguous nature of the review led to a drawn-out inquiry. It centres on the trio not declaring the share in Hathras to TVN.
Clark, Searcy and Pettit are believed to have denied elements about the share when offered a chance to come clean. However, at least one of the trio made TVN aware of the offer of the share before taking it.
There is frustration at the time taken to complete the inquiry, which should have been finished last year. However, management appears to have given it a low priority. Dole said there was no other investigation into staff and the incident was thought to have been isolated. The suspensions sent a strong message about the brand of TVN and the ethical standards required of all staff. The Australian Turf Club owns 50 per cent of TVN. The other half is shared between Melbourne Racing Club, Victoria Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club and Country Racing Victoria. There is growing pressure on TVN's cost structures and its standards and practices have been reviewed in the past couple of months.
TVN holds the media rights to Victorian and NSW racing and is down on staff as it moves to taking over the broadcast of all NSW racing from July 1.
TVN is expected to name a new chief executive in the next month.
STORY SOURCE: SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - FAIRFAX MEDIA.
