CHANNEL Nine has hired a high profile defamation lawyer and is considering taking legal action against various media outlets in the wake of a number of stories the network has described as a campaign to destroy Karl Stefanovic's reputation. 

The move follows on from a difficult patch for the Today Show host after he separated from his wife in September this year. 

Stefanovic's co-host LIsa Wilkinson has also leaped to his defence in recent weeks, telling MamaMia she was "disgusted with how some sections of the media were treating the issue. 

"There's a lot of rubbish out there at the moment, a lot of lies," Wilkinson said. 

"It's been really interesting, looking at weekly women's magazines and seeing the way they operate in 2016, and seeing some of the online sites, and the complete lies they are happy to write.

"I am disgusted with some sections of the media at the moment."

Now Darren Wick, Nine's Network Director of News and Current Affairs has announced the network has hired a defamation to help defend Stefanovic's reputation. 

"This very personal campaign is being prosecuted by weekly women's magazines running fictitious and damaging articles about Karl Stefanovic that are without any foundation of fact," Mr Wick said.  

"At best, this is lazy and reckless reporting.

"At worst, there is a case that this campaign is designed to damage not only his reputation but our business as well and we no longer intend to tolerate these lies.

"Nine has instructed Mark O'Brien, one of Australia's most experienced media and defamation lawyers, to act on Karl and Nine's behalf in this matter and take the necessary steps to defend his reputation against the endless fabrications."