Inside job

AUCKLAND, Today: Duncan Greive, founder of online news title The Spinoff, has weighed into the debate about journalist Tova O’Brien’s acrimonious legal scrap with her former employer, TV3 owner Discovery.

O’Brien had resigned to take up a key role at MediaWorks’s launch of Today FM, but Discovery – citing a restraint of trade contract clause – has put the move on hold.

In the latest Spinoff, Greive writes: “The former political editor’s move to morning radio should be the most thrilling time of her career.

“Instead, Tova’s found herself wondering if she can even begin her new MediaWorks job thanks to a restraint of trade clause Discovery is attempting to enforce.

“Discovery looks wounded and vindictive at a time when they should be confident, with a slate of exciting new shows.”

“Irrespective of the outcome, Discovery should consider whether it was worth going to war over this, and push to settle.

“The case has put O’Brien across news sites and bulletins for days on end, just as the channel gears up to launch AM.

“It makes them look wounded and vindictive at a time when they should be confident amid the renewal of a new ceo and owner, and with a slate of exciting new shows.”

The ERA hearing has been postponed.

• Read Greive’s story in full here