Channel 7 reporter Robert Ovadia 'sent image of flaccid penis to male colleague'

Sacked Channel 7 journalist Robert Ovadia reportedly sent an image of a flaccid penis to a male colleague before he was dumped by the network.

Ovadia, who has worked at the network for 23 years, revealed on Friday he had been let go by management.

'Yes I've been sacked and there will be more to say about that in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time,' he told The Australian.

He has since told the publication that he will no longer pursue a career in journalism.

Ovadia was first stood down by the broadcaster on June 7 while the investigation took place. 

The network said: 'Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Robert Ovadia.'

On Saturday, sources told The Australian that Ovadia allegedly sent an image of a flaccid penis to a male colleague.

A male colleague in the newsroom had reportedly requested a 'dick pic' while Ovadia was covering a court case involving historical child sex charges against former Australian swim coach Dick Caine. 

It was reported a few days earlier that the allegations concerned emails exchanged between Ovadia and a former Seven colleague four years ago.

It has also been alleged that a photoshopped image of a young female producer was at the centre of the decision to sack Ovadia, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The picture is believed to depict a cartoon version of the female producer, but it was not done in a sexual manner.

According to Daily Telegraph sources, Ovadia was dismissed after the ABC’s Four Corners show learnt about the image and started inquiring about it. 

It's understood the junior producer, who no longer works at Channel 7, never officially complained about the image.

However, the image was sent to Four Corners, which is investigating newsroom cultures for an upcoming program. 

There is no suggestion the allegations are proven and Ovadia has previously said they were unfounded and he would defend himself. 

It is understood Ovadia has hired legal representation.

Anthony De Ceglie, who recently became Channel Seven's director of news, told staff he has a 'zero tolerance' approach to bad behaviour in the newsroom after a number of senior male employees, including his predecessor Craig McPherson, left the network amid the fallout from the Bruce Lehrmann Spotlight scandal.

Taylor Auerbach, a former senior producer at Spotlight alleged in documents tendered to the Federal Court that they took drugs and partied with sex workers, and more than $10,000 was charged back to Seven, which the network has denied. 

The court also heard that company expenses had been spent on expensive meals, golf trips and a year's worth of accommodation for Lehrmann that allegedly cost more than $100,000.

Rival network Channel 9 has also been battling a scandal after The Australian revealed former news boss Darren Wick left the station following a complaint by a female employee.

Other staff has since made allegations of bullying and sexual harassment at the network, prompting Nine to conduct its own investigation.