0/5

Kostakidis settles with SBS

SBS newsreader Mary Kostakidis has settled her case against broadcaster SBS.

Today’s hearing in the Federal Court was cancelled, fueling speculation of an out of court settlement.

“I can’t really comment,” Kostakidis told The Age. She did confirm that today’s Federal Court hearing had been cancelled. SBS reportedly refused to comment.

The newsreader walked from SBS in August claiming she was bullied by the network, and filed claims her “status as principal news presenter supplanted without consultation.”

Following a joint statement, SBS and Mary have agreed to not make any more public statements about this matter:

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
MARY KOSTAKIDIS
AND
SBS CORPORATION
Sydney, 23 November 2007

Former SBS news presenter Mary Kostakidis and the public broadcaster have reached an amicable settlement of their differences, it was announced today.

The agreement follows a claim of breach of contract which Ms Kostakidis lodged with the Federal Court on 5 October 2007.

SBS, at the time, had strongly denied the claim and said it would vigorously defend Managing Director Shaun Brown and senior members of the SBS news team against specific allegations contained in Ms Kostakidis’s legal proceedings and subsequently reported in the media.

‘I would like SBS viewers to know that I leave with absolute good will towards the organisation and wish it all the best,’ Ms. Kostakidis said today.

‘It has been a privilege and an honour to front the flagship news program and to speak to a discerning audience that values public broadcasting.’

The Chairman of the SBS Board, Carla Zampatti, paid tribute to the star’s 21 years of service as a news presenter, also pointing out that she had first joined the broadcaster in an executive role in 1980.

‘SBS fully acknowledges Mary’s immense contribution over the years,’ Ms Zampatti said. ‘We are glad to note her statement of absolute good will towards the organisation as it endeavours to meet the changing needs of Australia’s diverse and dynamic society.’

Additional Source: The Age

One Response

Leave a Reply