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Who leaked footage of Seven anchors on “bullshit” Djokovic?

Updated: Seven says private conversation between Mike Amor & Rebecca Maddern was illegally recorded and distributed.

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Footage of Seven News anchors Mike Amor and Rebecca Maddern discussing Novak Djokovic appears to have been leaked from within the Melbourne newsroom or Seven’s playout centre.

In a candid, off-camera moment both spoke frankly about the border saga and their belief that the tennis champion would “get away with it.”

Late last night the vision, time-stamped 17:40, was in circulation through social media and quickly attracted media headlines.

Both anchors cast doubt on the “lies” by the Serbian player, including “bullshit’ claims he even had Covid in December.

While the very blue language was not fit for broadcast, in many ways both were saying what we are all thinking…. it’s a discussion that has doubtless been going on in offices, cafes and taxi cabs around the country.

The footage was never broadcast, leading to a deeper question in how the vision ever left the building

Television relies on trust and presenters need to know that crew and personnel have their back.

Rebecca Maddern has only just returned to Seven, joining Amor as co-anchor last week, in what was previously a solo-hosting.

The leaking of the video is akin to sabotage from within….

Seven must investigate the matter.

Updated:

Craig McPherson, Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs said, “The illegal recording was of a private conversation between two colleagues. It was an underhanded, cowardly act in breach of the Victorian Listening Devices legislation the perpetrator of which will be accordingly dealt with when found.”    

Seven Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin also told 3AW the network is well advanced in its investigation.

“Well, it’s disappointing. It’s a private conversation. It’s been illegally recorded, and it’s been illegally distributed. So I can assure you that we won’t be leaving any stone unturned to find out how it’s happened. It’s disappointing from that point of view,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Bec this morning, and she’s incredibly apologetic … but at the end of the day, it’s a private conversation.

“We’ve got some very experienced broadcast operations, people looking into how this would have got out and yes, we’re taking this very, very seriously. It’s a legal matter, it’s a private conversation, which was illegally recorded and distributed. And so from my perspective, from the executive perspective, and speaking to James Warburton and Craig McPherson we are taking this very, very seriously. And this investigation is going to be very thorough.”

He added, ‘Everybody will speculate, I think speculation threats any sort of investigation like this. I like to wait to see how the how the facts, pan out and it’ll take might not take as long as we think, by the way.”

How do you judge Mike Amor / Rebecca Maddern comments on Djokovic?

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60 Responses

  1. I’ve been watching 7 News for decades however I have since found myself watching channel 9 the last week after the hiring/pairing of these two. This is so obviously a publicity stunt(a very bad one at that).
    How long until Mitch gets back?? Until then, I’ll be staying on 9.

  2. There’s a golden rule in TV studios, especially live-to-air ones, and that is to always assume that your mic is ‘live’. Even if you’re not ‘on air’ at that moment, your voice will travel to many different departments in the studio complex, whether that be sound, VT, vision, props, green room or on the ringmain throughout the building. Producers also get caught out when briefing talent as they get caught on their mics. So if you’re gonna say something you don’t want people to hear cover your mic with your hand…or simply don’t say it. Pretty funny though!

  3. I’m definitely a sceptic, looks like a stunt to me, but I don’t care, its a good one. On point with every other workplace conversation in Melbourne. I never thought much of Mike Amor, but that clip makes his very relatable and endearing.

    They are in a setting where they seemingly have all the time in the world, yet they have a conversation that is structured to cover all the popular talking points in a succinct shareable clip? At a time when 7 have a new presenter lineup to promote? its too perfect.

  6. I thought this was hilarious and has made me like both newsreaders even more. I think Ch 7 have just uncovered a potential new show that would rate very well.
    Everyone complaining below, this was a private conversation that would happen in most workplaces in Australia atm. It’s just that it was illegally leaked by someone who will be looking for a new job.

  7. Excellent !!! Let’s hope this gives further impetus to Minister Alex Hawke to proceed with the deportation order. This I believe to be certainly the opinion of the vast majority of Australians apart from some immigrants and Tennis aficionados. The court ruling was based on Border officials being unfair to Djokovic – Yes there had been errors, but, A) Not double vaxed B) If the Dec Covid case is true – Then his medical exemption submitted too late even though this is not part of the Federal rules C) His Visa application has shown he lied about past travel – no matter who submitted – You are responsible!
    I really don’t understand how he was not on the fist plane home ? Anyone else would have been. Can any disgruntled visitor mount a court challenge because they are denied entry? Send him home.

  10. My only question on this story is when they do find the person who leaked the video online are they going to fine the person? and if so how much money this person had to Pay the fine?

  11. I’m reading Bec has apologised. What for? There are two people in the conversation, a private conversation that is no different to anyone having an opinion on this current topical piece. The only person who needs to say sorry is the person who leaked it as they get sacked, never to work in the industry again.

    1. There are no “ private conversations “ once someone is inside a studio, and putting a microphone on. They made a professional blunder, should they get the sack, no, should they be hauled over the coals, most definitely.
      Unprofessional is what it is.

  12. Funny seeing the other side of presenters on TV. I always thought of Mike Amor as squeaky clean, not a bad word to be uttered lol It’s not a nice look but love to see them being ‘normal’ and honest. Bec seems to be copping most of the heat on social media I think.

  13. I found it curious 7 had Rebecca return in a two-up newsreader role, we haven’t seen this in over 10 years since Ch10 went from dual readers to one.

    You’ve got to ask, who looks worse in this video?
    Who benefits the most that it’s out?

    My take is, one of these two isn’t very well liked, and might not be reading soon. These things are never accidental

  14. “In many ways both were saying what we are all thinking” – no they weren’t. Comments like that are why people are switching off media like yours David.

    2. You can check poll above to see where views are falling on this so far, and it’s already attracted hundreds. The site does offer opinion yes, as a personal blog, as opposed to some news and mags which love all things equally and never offer a position. Weirdly, those saying they are switching off have been commenting for years. It reminds me of a call to the Nine switch on the The Mike Walsh Show, “I was so disgusted I had to turn it off twice!”

      1. Obviously then your statement:
        “In many ways both were saying what we are all thinking” which I was pointing out even judging by your “poll” was a false and
        a misleading statement.

  15. I’ve watched the footage. Yes, terrible that an insider appears to have leaked it. Unless someone hacked into Channel 7 Melbourne’s video stream.
    PS David, your reference to the discussion going around in “offices” made me smile. Maybe in zoom office calls!

  17. And it’s bleeding obvious this footage was not leaked, it was released by 7 in a thinly-veiled attempt to garner viral buzz for their new news team by showing their ‘real’ and ‘off-the-cuff’ comments about a topic that is making the mainstream angry.

  18. Stories like this are why I voted your blog as ‘disappointing’ David. These presenters didn’t say what we all are thinking. There’s a large number of people who are happy to see Novak’s victorious entry into Australia and are looking forward to watching him play on television.

    1. “Disappointing” and yet here you still are, not just reading but also commenting.

      If you were really disappointed, you’d be closing this window, going to your TV and enjoying that.

  19. Certainly a betrayal of trust. I think back to “jacket-gate” which on face value appeared to be someone wanting to expose a toxic workplace, or at least a difficult colleague. This is quite different. Perhaps someone just thought it would be funny to release it.

  23. It was amazing! I hope neither of the two lose their jobs. They were just speaking the truth, albeit with some colourful language. While you should never speak your mind when there’s a hot mic around, these two shouldn’t be reprimanded for their pub talk that the majority of Australia is having right now.

    Whoever leaked it, though, should be given an empty fruit crate and a cab charge. A huge breach of trust, and no doubt contract.

  24. What reprehensible, unprofessional, and inexcusable behaviour from these poor examples for “journalists”. Good on whoever decided to rightfully expose the true colours of these two.

    “What we’re all thinking”, David? Well, I beg to differ.

    Djokovic is being used as a scapegoat by politicians and the media to disguise their own incompetence and lack of integrity, and are only serving to expose their own hypocrisy in the process. What should have been a private health matter has been plastered all over the public sphere, so it’s only fair that Amor and Maddern’s vulgarly slanderous speculation was exposed for all to see. If justice were to prevail, both should be sacked on the spot. Many others have been “cancelled” for so, so much less than this truly repugnant conduct.

    The only reason why people would be angry with Djokovic is because they feel that their rights have been abused, and begrudge others of not having the same happen to them. Misery loves company, after…

    1. I’m sure you have never had a conversation with a colleague or friend about a call you have just received or a meeting you were in that you which frustrated you. Staff/Colleagues should be able to talk and gossip between each other without fear that someone is (potentially) recording them illegally.

      You’ve raised some interesting points here but I noticed that you haven’t even talked about the person who recorded the video so let’s ignore the person who doesn’t believe in vaccination, who has publicly spread non-sense about the virus and we’ll also blow past the evidence that he’s wilfully placed people in danger during events he’s attended while potentially being positive?

      The louder you beat your chest, the more chance your application will be looked at and it looks he’s been quite happy to beat his chest so there’s no sympathy here and I bet I can find lots of Melbournians who think the same.

      1. There’s a camera in front of them and they’re slandering away while they’re on the clock (and in the presence of other crew members) so their conduct was inappropriate and ill-timed however you try to defend it. Banter between colleagues is one thing, but they were besmirching a man’s character based on speculation and baseless conjecture, and I will not indulge the innuendo that you have also made with respect to Djokovic’s position regarding what he believes is the best course of action regarding his health.

        I had already pointed out that Djokovic’s private medical information was exposed for public scrutiny, so it’s only fair that these so-called journalists were exposed in kind. Vicious slander is not a vice that I am willing to excuse, especially as these two anchors are unlikely to possess the integrity of character to confront him personally. Tit for tat as far as I am concerned, but sadly, I doubt that their careers will suffer as a result of their gross affront.

        1. You don’t know where those other crew members are, so you cannot say they were in front of others. In fact, if Melbourne is anything like the Sydney studios, they would be in the room alone — the same way Nine run their studios.

          I personally do not think there is anything wrong with having a personal opinion that differs from your professional opinion as long one doesn’t impact the other but Hank, it’s clear what side of the fence you sit on and what role you think the media has in this world.

          1. There are cameras before them and there could be witnesses to their conversation, be they physically on set or in the control room. We can go on all day if you want to be needlessly pedantic and personal about every point raised.

            I believe I have made my position on slander quite clear, and there is marked difference between having an opinion on a topic where opposing positions can be held (and even coexist) rather than outright vilifying another person’s character based on one’s prejudices, which can affect another person’s personal and professional life.

            The role of news outlets should be to inform in an impartial manner, rather than resorting to cheap sensationalism in order to reinforce whatever position that they wish to propagate. The fact that some seem more concerned with the anchors being exposed for their appalling and unprofessional behaviour as opposed to the slander directed at Djokovic is an unfortunate reflection on warped priorities.

    2. Thing is Novak decided himself to post himself on social media that he had a medical exemption. Novak mixed with people back home in Serbia the day after receiving a positive result. I could go on but I won’t.

      What I would like to know was how Novak was planning on getting to Australia if he didn’t get COVID in December?

  25. It’s improper conduct to leak without consent, especially given the circumstances. Though it’s refreshing to hear candid views and could make for a good vox pop show. I find nowadays that some of the press media and vested interests are interested in not only reporting the news, but also influencing how we perceive it and how it appears politically.

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