Radio NZ and Crosbie face lawsuit

Radio New Zealand and its retired chief executive Sharon Crosbie have been named in defamation action filed by former head of news Lynne Snowdon, who is claiming damages of almost $1.5 million.

The accounting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is also named in the legal action with a separate claim for $1.2 million.

Ms Snowdon has been embroiled in an employment dispute with the public broadcaster since a breakdown in her work relationship with Ms Crosbie in 2002.

She went on sick leave on full pay - said to be between $100,000 and $110,000 a year - just over two years ago.

Lawyers acting for Ms Snowdon filed papers in the High Court at Wellington yesterday that cited as reasons for the action the writing of a memo by Ms Crosbie about a newsroom review, the circulation of that review, which had been prepared by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and the issuing of a media release about the review.

The statement of claim says the January 2003 Deloitte review discussed a high level of frustration within the news department, and said there was a lack of leadership, communication and good management practices.

It said strong leadership and management were urgently required in news, and that overall responsibility for news operations rested with the managing editor.

It also said there was a widespread belief that both the Wellington and Auckland newsrooms were at breaking point.

The statement of claim says it was well known that Ms Snowdon was the managing editor of news within Radio NZ at the time.

A Herald news report about the Deloitte review, including speculation about Ms Snowdon's future, was said to have harmed Ms Snowdon's reputation.

The claim against Radio NZ and Ms Crosbie is for $1.2 million, but $250,000 in aggravated damages is also sought.

It alleges the company and Ms Crosbie aimed to injure Ms Snowdon's reputation and leave her in an intolerable employment situation.

Ms Snowdon's employment dispute is now before the Court of Appeal and the Office of the Ombudsmen is considering financial mismanagement claims Ms Snowdon levelled against senior RNZ managers.