Spotlight searches for new EP, Seven investigates Sunrise error.

7News Spotlight is reportedly on the hunt for a new executive producer following the departure of Mark Llewellyn, confirmed last week.

The Australian reports Phil Goyen has been filing in as EP while the serach for a new boss is underway.

Head of News & Public Affairs Craig McPherson addressed Spotlight staff last Tuesday to assure them some 24 episodes would run this year -two have screened thus far.

It follows a rocky season start for the show with the departure of Llewellyn and headlines surrounding allegations made recently in the Lehrmann / 10 defamation trial. Seven denied those claims.

Meanwhile Seven is facing another defamation threat after Sunrise incorrectly named Sydney university student Benjamin Cohen as responsible for the Bondi Junction Westfield attacks.

Seven later apologised for the error after NSW Police named 40-year-old Joel Cauchi from Queensland.

“The mistake was human error. It was escalated immediately and rectified. Seven sincerely apologises for the error,” Seven said.

Seven has since launched an internal investigation to get to the bottom of how that error led to on air talent naming Cohen.

Statements have reportedly been taken from staff including presenter Matt Shirvington.

Meanwhile newly-installed CEO Jeff Howard told staff in an email last week, “Our business exists in a world of intense competition. Are, we the only ones who pay for content? Absolutely not. Should we be honest about it Absolutely. We all want to win. Do we condone a ‘win at all costs’ attitude? No, we don’t.”

Howard urged staff to stick to tried and tested processes and to exercise judgment to “ensure we don’t jeopardise the reputation we’ve spent years building.”

“If poor judgement or unacceptable behaviour persists, or is outside our comfort zone, we will investigate. If necessary, we will have to move people on.”

Source: The Australian