Channel Nine is condemning an article that blamed the Today Show’s dwindling ratings on host Georgie Gardner.

Daily Telegraph reporter Kris Krane claims secret focus groups revealed viewers perceive Gardner as “inauthentic” and an “ice maiden”.

In a statement, Channel Nine labelled the article a “deliberate act of bullying”.

Director of News and Current Affairs Darren Wick has publicly slammed the journalist responsible for the “appalling” article.

“To read something there which is a complete fabrication, completely made up… it’s a really gutless attack.”

He tells Ray Hadley the reporter failed to verify the facts, and no focus groups have been commissioned for the Today Show this year.

“I don’t know whether this guy has an agenda, or whether it is deliberate, or he’s just completely incompetent.”

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