This was, it continued, “to ensure that the business can continue its commitment to delivering a brand based on a foundation of quality and respected content for our audiences, clients and partners”.

It is unclear what “step back” means, whether Mr Thomas will be involved in work in any way, and how long this situation will remain. Mediaweek did not immediately respond to a series of questions about what the decision to step back meant.

The company, which lists 13 staff and five contributors on its website, will be led by its general manager Sarah Chapman, digital and marketing director Kellie Brown, chief revenue officer Andrew Mulready, and editor-in-chief James Manning.

“Mediaweek acknowledges the rights of all workers to raise any type of workplace concerns and is committed to receiving all concerns with a person-centred and trauma informed approach providing a safe workplace for everyone that defines appropriate conduct and best practices,” the statement said. It confirmed there had been two complaints, and independent HR firms had been brought in to investigate.

“The outcome of this investigation propelled our business to swiftly implement an industry-leading prevention and response plan, HR training and robust HR guidelines and policies to take proactive and meaningful action to eliminate relevant unlawful conduct in the workplace,” the statement continued.

After the two investigations, and the ultimate findings, the second HR firm hired by the publication introduced a new human resources handbook, according to internal Mediaweek emails. The handbook added new policies about bullying and harassment, grievance management, general conduct, probation and performance management, flexible working and drug and alcohol use.

Mediaweek claims to have the highest readership in the sector, with 300,000 users a month, 521,000 page views and a 43 per cent share of the total audience, according to a 2024 pitch deck to advertisers.

The wider media industry is in the middle of a reckoning about inappropriate workplace conduct and cover-ups. The ABC’s Four Corners is known to be working on a story about toxic culture in major broadcasters’ newsrooms.

Nine Entertainment, which publishes the Financial Review, has faced scrutiny over its handling of the departure of Darren Wick, its former news and current affairs director. Mr Wick, who ran Nine’s news division for 13 years, left after a formal complaint about his historical behaviour. He was accused of drunken and lecherous behaviour by staff in reports published by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian.

The Financial Review also revealed Stan’s former publicity chief, Adrian Foo, left after an investigation into claims of inappropriate workplace conduct.