Report: Gyngell defends producer

Details of Nine’s response to 60 Minutes continue to turn up in the press -meaning either there are severe leaks by disgruntled staff or stories are being run to shore up Nine’s position in the face of public support for producer Stephen Rice.

The latest suggest former CEO David Gyngell expressed strong support for Exec Producer Tom Malone at board level.

A phone hook-up last Thursday supposedly discussed the fate of four people: former Exec Producer Tom Malone, current Exec producer Kirsty Thomson, producer Stephen Rice and reporter Tara Brown. Sound man David “Tangles” Ballment and cameraman Ben Williamson were not considered for dismissal, according to the Daily Telegraph.

During robust discussions Gyngell is said to have defended Malone, who had risen from Today show producer to 60 Minutes, under Gyngell’s reign, and now oversees network Sport.

As a review announced last Friday, only Rice was jettisoned.

Meanwhile the Herald Sun details “3 strikes” against Rice surrounding payment, risk assessment and allegedly failing to advise network.

The internal review panel did “not recommend any staff member should be singled out for dismissal given the degree of autonomy accorded to 60 Minutes.”