Justin Stevens has resigned as director of news at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) after four years in the role and 19 years with the organization. His resignation was effective immediately and was cited as being for personal and professional reasons. His successor, Simon Robinson, a senior executive at Reuters, has been appointed to the position and will commence in September.
Departure of Justin Stevens
Stevens, who became news director at age 38, previously served as an executive producer of the ABC's current affairs program 7.30. During his tenure as news director, he worked under two managing directors and two chairs.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks stated that Stevens felt the time was right for him to move on and pursue other careers. In a farewell email, Stevens wrote:
"There is no more complex news organisation in the country, no more scrutinised institution, and few so laden with public expectations. In that context, I have sought to strengthen and defend our journalism without being blind to our stumbles."
Marks testified before a Senate estimates hearing that he did not threaten to terminate Stevens. Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson suggested the resignation was linked to errors, including a defamation loss to Heston Russell and an incident where gunshot sounds were added to a video clip. Marks responded, "We defend where appropriate, but we acknowledge our errors when we have made them."
ABC's Strategic Refocus
During the Senate estimates hearing, Marks stated that the resignation presents an opportunity for the ABC to "enter into a new phase of operations" and to produce less content but at a higher standard.
"I think we keep asking our people to do more to occupy more platforms to be in more places at more times, and that pressure of more is something that we've got to solve for." — Hugh Marks
He added, "Doing more is not necessarily doing things better."
Appointment of Simon Robinson
Simon Robinson, currently a deputy to the editor-in-chief at Reuters, has been appointed as the next director of news at the ABC. He is the first external hire for the role in decades.
Career Background:
- Reuters (16 years): Currently Executive Editor based in London, helping lead a global newsroom of approximately 2,600 journalists. He has oversight of editorial output and digital publishing and has overseen award-winning coverage on Iran, Russia, corporate taxation, and migration.
- Time Inc. (15 years): Worked as a correspondent, bureau chief, and editor.
- Early career: Began as a reporter and fact-checker at Who Weekly in Sydney.
Marks said of Robinson:
"Simon Robinson is one of the most experienced and respected newsroom leaders in global journalism. His track record leading large, complex news operations and his deep commitment to fact-based reporting make him an outstanding choice to lead the ABC's News division."
Robinson stated:
"I am thrilled and honored to be named the ABC's director of news and current affairs. As a passionate believer in the power of fact-based, independent journalism, I believe the ABC plays a pivotal role in providing Australians with the reliable reporting we all need."
Transition and Context
- Start Date: Robinson will commence his role in September.
- Division Size: The ABC's News division employs approximately 2,000 people across Australia.
- External Appointment: The last time an external candidate was appointed to lead a large part of the news division was in the early 1990s.
- Senate Estimates: ABC executives were scheduled to appear before a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra following the resignation.