Kamahl Santamaria leaves TVNZ

[JamesWorldNews]

https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/04/04/john-...espondent/

[JamesWorldNews]

Kamahl about to make his “debut” on TVNZ.

I taught him everything......

[Medianext.MX]

Here's a montage of Kamahl's first day in Breakfast:




Personally, liking him in the show, settling in with the rest of the team. He's has managed to show a lot more of his lighter side, whilst retaining some of the edge he had when in AJE. He has even given the show more authenticity than it had with John Campbell. Given the show is much more lighter than its rival AM (which has a much more talk radio edge), he was much needed to balance out a bit the show's pacing and style, and he has managed it successfully to do so. Wish him good luck on his next step, very well deserved.

Coinciding with his arrival and the start of autumn, the show also got new graphics, doing away with the aquas in favour of browns.

[BBI45]

And after a month in the job, he's quit...

[Medianext.MX]

And after a month in the job, he's quit...

I am really sorry for him. I also hope Kamahl will return to our screens soon as he recovers from this issue. I hope he will be able to recover from this personal issue. How Paul Yuirisch handled the situation was duly correct, understanding the situation from the outset and telling co-workers what was happening, without crossing any line between what’s gossip and what can be told.

I am also sorry for the people over at TVNZ, which had hired him to balance out a bit the lighter focus of Breakfast, given how Yuirisch and associate director Mereana Hond, both also from AJE, have been making changes to make their newscasts; although NZ TV news in general is quite tabloid, both TVNZ and Newshub (thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery) have been improving their offering in recent years, with more political and serious news, with lower budgets notwithstanding.

[nznewser]

So this has become a major scandal in New Zealand and will have far reaching consequences for TVNZ and Al Jazeera.  Basically there are allegations of sexual harassment from a TVNZ colleague which have led him to resign so quickly.

Not only that, but there has been reporting in New Zealand media over the last 12 hours that Santamaria had a history of sexual harassment when he worked at Al Jazeera which saw multiple complaints to HR and management. Here is the best summary of those allegations. 

TVNZ's Head of News and Current Affairs previously worked at AJE as an Editor.  He left in 2020 to return to NZ and joined TVNZ.  He personally recruited Santamaria to anchor the Breakfast show.

Former AJE reporters have spoken in New Zealand media alleging a culture of sexual harassment at Al Jazeera. 

One ex AJE-er on Monday morning alleged:

• "Allegations were made over a series of years about Kamahl... it was reported to HR and senior management on numerous occasions as far as I understand, and having spoken to some former colleagues today, only one person ever brought up this issue with Kamahl despite numerous complaints being made."
  
• "It fell into the category of sexual harassment, suggestive comments, complaints.”
  
• "Al Jazeera was rife with this kind of behaviour, there was a real impunity towards men, especially Western men. And this is what is not apparent from a lot of people's perceptions of Al Jazeera. It was the Western men who were behaving badly."
  

These allegations raise significant issues that Al Jazeera management will need to address.  It is not a good look and raises some very serious questions.

And after a month in the job, he's quit...

I am really sorry for him. I also hope Kamahl will return to our screens soon as he recovers from this issue. I hope he will be able to recover from this personal issue. How Paul Yuirisch handled the situation was duly correct, understanding the situation from the outset and telling co-workers what was happening, without crossing any line between what’s gossip and what can be told.

I am also sorry for the people over at TVNZ, which had hired him to balance out a bit the lighter focus of Breakfast, given how Yuirisch and associate director Mereana Hond, both also from AJE, have been making changes to make their newscasts; although NZ TV news in general is quite tabloid, both TVNZ and Newshub (thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery) have been improving their offering in recent years, with more political and serious news, with lower budgets notwithstanding.

[natashajacobs]

Thanks for the article, interesting bit of context that goes some way to explaining the situation

[Rob]

We shouldn't pretend the allegations don't exist, but I will not tolerate any speculation in this thread. Please be VERY CAREFUL in what you post.

[nznewser]

Thanks Rob - I have very deliberately only provided context that has been reported in New Zealand media over the last 24 hours or so to add context as to why Santamaria has left TVNZ so suddenly.  It is very big news in New Zealand at the moment.

We shouldn't pretend the allegations don't exist, but I will not tolerate any speculation in this thread. Please be VERY CAREFUL in what you post.

[whoiam989]

At this point, we need a new thread title...

[Medianext.MX]

New developments on the situation… the long-awaited independent report is in, concluding that TVNZ’s recruitment process is “not suited to hiring presenters” As a result of this, Paul Yuirisch has resigned.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/07/27/kamah...resenters/

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/4717...ch-resigns

[natashajacobs]

Any news on the allegations themselves?

[Kojak]

Any news on the allegations themselves?

No, and there won't be unless whoever is involved comes forward publicly (which I expect is highly unlikely). I don't think we'll ever know - and quite frankly, it is really none of our business. He's gone now and that is that.

[ginnyfan]

Surprising and sad turn of events. Accusations seem to be thrown around randomly and easily these days so I would not jump on the ''off with his head'' bandwagon. Besides, from what was said by his former AJ co-anchor, who revealed their private text messages, it doesn't seem like much.