Sky News reporter Matt Cunningham and Mix 104.9 presenter Katie Woolf are under fire for “toxic” comments made on air that appeared to downplay the alleged actions of besieged ICAC Michael Riches, who is currently under investigation for alleged “inappropriate behaviour” towards female staff members amid unresolved allegations of domestic violence.

A national organisation that aims to prevent violence against women warned that public commentary “minimising non-physical forms of violence is concerning and harmful”, while the specific comments have become the subject of a complaint to the broadcaster.

Cunningham told the ‘The Week That Was’ radio program on June 14, that he could not understand why the public was calling for Mr Riches to resign when the domestic violence allegation made against him by his ex-wife did not constitute physical abuse.

This is despite Mr Riches signing an active court-ordered Domestic Violence Undertaking last year not to contact or stalk his ex-wife following allegations by Jen Riches that he engaged in coercive control, financial control and other non-physical forms of DV, that he also appears not to have properly disclosed.

A member of the public filed the formal complaint last week with Mix 104.9, alleging the segment involving Cunningham and current MLAs lacked “sufficient moderation”, failed to “meet basic standards” and perpetuated “toxic attitudes” with respect to “the issue of domestic violence”.

Mr Riches was first accused by his now ex-wife Jen Riches in May 2023 of domestic violence, including ongoing surveillance against her will in their home, repeated belittling comments and violent outbursts, among other accusations. The domestic violence allegations have not been put to court and Mr Riches has called the allegations “defamatory” and having “no substance”.

“…People are saying he has to go, he has to go, he has to go,” Cunningham said. “I’m not sure what it is that he’s done that…”

“Constitutes that?” Katie Woolf added.

“He’s not accused of any criminality,” Cunningham continued.

“I’m only going off what I’ve read and seen in public forums in the media, but he’s not accused of any criminality. His ex-wife says there was no physical abuse he has been accused of, the police are not investigating him.

“I think what we have is a messy marriage breakdown … one side of which is playing out in the public domain, and he’s in the unenviable situation of having to basically sit there and say nothing, because you can’t have an ICAC commissioner come out and…”

Cunningham added that Mr Riches has been unfairly criticised publicly for taking too long to produce reports but that he has been busy “cleaning up the mess of his predecessor”, but offered no evidence to back up his claim.

The complainant, a member of the public who asked not to be named, said in the complaint to Mix 104.9 that the segment failed to provide the necessary context of the nature of the domestic violence allegations against Mr Riches.

“What the moderator failed to put on the public record here was that Mr Riches has been accused of engaging in forms of domestic violence other than physical violence,” the complaint said.

“These include coercive control and financial control. Obviously, these accusations haven’t been proven, but nor has Riches been cleared of them. Whether Riches is innocent is beside the point.

“What’s concerning is that this media outlet sees fit to downplay forms of domestic violence which aren’t physical violence, and by doing so, send[s] a message to the community that it’s okay for people in positions of power to engage in coercive control without consequences.”

National anti-domestic violence group Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said that while the organisation could not comment on specific allegations of DV against individuals, the “choice of language used when discussing violence against women matters”.

“Commentary minimising non-physical forms of violence is concerning and harmful,” she said.

“Media commentators and journalists have a crucial role in educating the public and breaking down myths and misinformation.

“Family violence can take many forms, from physical and sexual violence, to intimidation, harassment, stalking and financial and emotional abuse, such as coercive control.

“In some cases, men who have killed a partner have had a history of coercive control without physical violence. This was the case in the murder of Hannah Clark and her three children, and has led to new coercive control laws in Queensland.

“It is crucial that media do not dismiss non-physical forms of violence as less harmful. Doing so can signal to perpetrators that they are excused or supported in their violence and can discourage victim-survivors from seeking support.”

Cunningham, a respected local journalist who has won national acclaim for his reporting on sensitive domestic violence matters involving Aboriginal Territorians, published an “exclusive” with Mr Riches four days after making the radio comments.

The article stated that Mr Riches would be back at work “soon” following the internal investigation by ICAC Inspector Bruce McClintock, that cleared Mr Riches of “corrupt conduct” in relation to his handling of the domestic violence allegations – including a $20,000 pay off to his ex-wife to drop a Domestic Violence Order application, which Mr McClintock found was not inappropriate. He made no conclusion as to the truth of the DV allegations, but did not speak to Ms Riches during his investigation.

It was revealed late last week that Mr Riches has been placed on extended leave until the end of September, while the NT Public Employment Commissioner investigates separate allegations by “several” female staff members that Mr Riches engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” at the workplace, which Mr McClintock said “if true, would be of great concern”.

Cunningham did not respond to the NT Independent’s questions seeking comment, including whether he held discussions with Mr Riches before the June 14 radio appearance.

Cunningham did not speak to Jen Riches before or after his articles and public comments about the DV allegations she levelled against Mr Riches.

Mix 104.9 station manager Mike Harvey also did not respond to an email seeking comment on the complaint and the radio station’s handling of the matter.

Ms Kinnersly said Our Watch encourages journalists and commentators reporting on domestic violence to undertake training and follow national media guidelines developed to ensure reporting does not further harm victim-survivors and to ensure media is part of the solution to ending violence against all women and children.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.