Australian TV Slammed After Pic Of "Sexy Santa" Dancers At Staff Meeting Goes Viral

A spokesman for Seven West Media has defended the dancers, explaining that they were part of the Christmas Pageant, which is a "Perth institution".

A local Australian news channel has come under fire after a video of a dancing group of "sexy Santas" emerged from what has been described as a routine staff meeting. According to the New York Post, the meeting of Seven Network's parent company Seven West Media in Perth was held last week on Friday and was intended to introduce new appointments. It was when the Deputy news director was discussing an upcoming programme when Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas' started playing, and a group of female dancers wearing Santa hats and short red dresses appeared on stage.  A Seven West Media staff meeting last Friday featured women dancers dressed as sexy Santas. I thought this was a parody news report until I saw it confirmed by numerous news media. So Seven is STILL stuck in the 1970's. 🙄 #media#sexism#journalismpic.twitter.com/mf0XxFyh9N

According to the Post, a photo of the meeting was shared on social media and it drew heavy criticism, with many saying it was a scene pulled directly from the 1980s. In the meeting, female staff reacted with shock, and some even walked out in protest. 

"OMG - if they thought that was even slightly appropriate given everything we've found out about them, the cultural makeup of that organization is badly broken," wrote one social media user. "That will help fix the culture issues which have been uncovered," said another.