Staff at 10 News First were left in shock yesterday when it was announced their leader had suddenly left without saying goodbye.
An e-mail announcing the departure of Network Executive Editor Anthony Murdoch popped into inboxes around the network just 2 minutes before Sydney’s 5pm news went live-to-air.
Martin and Rashell, the Head of Broadcast and Digital News Strategy, informed staff the long-time employee known as ‘bug’ had ‘resigned’ but had already left to go on leave, saying:
Dear all,
It is with sadness that we share with you the news that Anthony Murdoch is leaving us.
We accepted Bug’s resignation yesterday – and are sure you’ll all join us in wishing him all the very best.
He’s off on leave now, but we’ll work out a farewell fitting someone of his stature when he returns.
Murdoch had been with 10 since 2011 when he joined as the Supervising Producer on the short-lived George Negus program.
Recently, he was named in court documents by reporter Tegan George who claims he was not supportive of her efforts to resolve issues with star reporter Peter Van Onselen.
According to The Age:
George alleges that after she complained to network executive editor Anthony Murdoch about her work load, sometime between November 2019 and February 2020, Murdoch replied: “What did you even do today? Painting your nails and drinking herbal tea?”
You can hear more about this story in the TVBB podcast:
Channel 10 has been approached for comment.
