The executive producer of Nine’s A Current Affair, Amy McCarthy, has stepped down after admitting to making inappropriate social media posts during the Logie Awards.
McCarthy, who took on the high-profile role in 2024, told colleagues in an email on Thursday that she had decided to resign.
McCarthy steps aside
In her note to staff, sent at 1.45pm, McCarthy said she had chosen to “stand down” as executive producer following scrutiny of her private Facebook comments.
“I made a stupid mistake – one that was not meant to be hurtful or harmful in any way. But it has brought unwanted negative attention to a show I love and a team I adore,” she wrote.
“For that, I am very sorry.”
McCarthy, who was appointed to lead A Current Affair following Darren Wick’s departure from Nine, had replaced Fiona Dear, now head of news and current affairs.
At the Logies, she posted that she planned to get “drunk” and later made a remark about musician Jimmy Barnes. The posts were leaked to The Australian’s Steve Jackson, prompting McCarthy to take leave before deciding to step down.
The posts in question
Interim leadership in place
Fiona Dear confirmed the decision in a staff email, adding that reporter Steve Marshall would serve as acting executive producer while a recruitment process is carried out.
“It’s been a difficult time for Amy and the ACA team but it’s important our senior people lead by example,” Dear wrote. She also reminded staff of Nine’s policies, including guidelines on social media and professional conduct.
Wider workplace context
McCarthy will remain at Nine in a producing role in the newsroom. Her resignation comes months after Nine released findings from a culture review, which reported widespread concerns among staff.
The review found 52 per cent of employees had witnessed or experienced an abuse of power, 49 per cent had experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment, and 24 per cent reported sexual harassment.
There is no suggestion McCarthy engaged in any misconduct beyond the Facebook posts that led to her decision to resign.