‘Courage’: Today host reacts to bombshell report

Today host Karl Stefanovic says men at his show’s network have failed their female counterparts after a bombshell report detailed a toxic culture.

Harrowing testimony to an inquiry from current and former male and female Nine employees has painted a dark picture of a “boys club” rampant with bullying, sexual harassment and abuse of power.

Addressing the probe’s findings, Stefanovic praised the women who testified.

“I genuinely, genuinely feel for the women who have given testimony,” he told viewers.

“I can’t imagine how hard that was and the courage that it took.

“Many people are hurting. They feel like what was the point of speaking out if perpetrators are not called out?

“I asked the same question yesterday and it’s my understanding several investigations are now under way and we have to be patient for the process of all that.”

Stefanovic added that it was “essential” and “critical” that proper processes were followed.

One anonymous complainant, as first reported by news.com.au on Thursday, told the inquiry the “Nine newsroom reeked of a man’s locker room”.

“I had regularly overheard men … boisterously joke about sexual assault … and objectify women in general,” the complainant said.

Another staffer said there were frequent sexualised comments in the newsroom: “It would not be uncommon to be asked or to hear: ‘Who did you f**k last night’?”

Stefanovic said many men, including himself, were shocked.

“I want to say it’s not about us, but there are good men who do work here at Nine who find what happened absolutely intolerable, who struggle to understand how we didn’t know more and do something, how it aggrieved you,” he said.

“I feel like we have all, in a way, let you down.”

Stefanovic said he was honoured to work with his female colleagues both onscreen and behind the scenes.

“I’m grateful women are at this company and they are the way forward,” he said.

“They will show the way. We just have to listen and act, but it’s going to be up to all of us now to do better, to say enough. This stops now.”