Channel Nine presenter Alex Cullen has found himself at the center of controversy after being unceremoniously axed following the acceptance of a substantial cash gift from billionaire Adrian Portelli. The news of Cullen's departure from the flagship This Morning show came as quite the shock to fans and colleagues alike, as fellow presenter Karl Stefanovic formally confirmed the situation during the show's broadcast on January 24, 2023.
"Today, as most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week," Stefanovic said, addressing the elephant in the room. "There has been widespread reporting on the circumstances surrounding this, and I can say last night, Alex and Nine agreed he would finish with the network."
Cullen's dismissal stems from his involvement with Portelli—who gained notoriety as the "Lambo Guy" from his 2022 appearance on the reality show, The Block. Portelli made headlines again when he decided to offer $50,000 as a reward to any journalist who would refer to him by his more preferred nickname, "McLaren Man." It was during one such on-air segment of the Today show, where Cullen obliged to make the reference, fetching him the cash prize.
Immediately afterward, Portelli took to social media to boast about the transaction, posting evidence of the purported bank transfer to Cullen. "We have a winner!" Portelli cheerfully announced on Instagram, paired with the screenshot of the transaction. Yet, just as quick as the applause came, the fallout began to unravel.
Nine News was decidedly not amused, issuing statements to confirm the measures being taken internally to address the matter. "Nine is taking this matter extremely seriously. Appropriate action has been taken, including arranging for the funds to be returned. While we review the circumstances, Alex has agreed to stand down," said the spokesperson for Channel Nine.
Feeling the weight of the situation, Cullen turned to social media to express gratitude for the outpouring of support during what he called “a very difficult time.” His heartfelt message, shared alongside a picture of himself with his young son Max, read, "This has been a very difficult time and I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who reached out. It means the world to me and my young family. I will miss my colleagues at Today and wish them the best. Thank you again, and I look forward to whatever is next."
Adrian Portelli, perhaps seeking to mitigate the backlash, later stated on social media he believed Cullen intended to donate part of the gifted funds to charity. Portelli, who is known for his philanthropic efforts, disclosed on Instagram how he had split the amount: "I’ve kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he’d heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. Alex Cullen... on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA."
This incident also raises questions concerning media ethics. The Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) Journalist Code of Ethics states, “journalists should not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit to undermine [their] accuracy, fairness, or independence.” Evaluators have since critiqued Cullen's actions as potentially crossing ethical boundaries, thereby igniting discourse about integrity within journalism.
The public's reaction to Cullen's axing has largely leaned toward disappointment, particularly among loyal viewers of Today. Many have expressed their outrage on social platforms, vowing to boycott the network until their favorite presenter is reinstated. Fellow journalists from the Today show, including Sarah Abo and Jayne Azzopardi, were quick to voice their support for Cullen on social media, underscoring the bonds formed during their time as colleagues.
Reflecting on the episode, it remains to be seen what Cullen’s next career move will be and whether he will venture back onto the small screen after this disheartening setback. Undoubtedly, this incident at Channel Nine highlights the continuous scrutiny public figures face, alongside the imperative media organizations have to uphold journalistic integrity and ethical standards, ensuring they remain transparent and accountable to their audience.