ABC’s Hugh Marks confirms former news director did not know replacement was being sought
ABC chief executive Hugh Marks has confirmed that he was not aware that a selection process for his replacement was already under way before former news director Justin Stevens resigned from the ABC late last month.
Mr Marks revealed further details of the sudden departure during an interview with Radio National Breakfast presenter Sally Sara this morning; where he also addressed the controversy surrounding the hiring of former Australian of the Year Grace Tame to host an ABC podcast series.
Asked why the ABC thought it was necessary to look for a new news director, Mr Marks insisted Stevens’ departure was a resignation but said it took place in the context of a fundamental disagreement between the pair over the future of ABC News.
He said the national broadcaster was facing a number of challenges in sourcing live news and exploring different formats and “we felt that perhaps there were different directions to take”.
“Mr Stevens absolutely wanted to resign, so we agreed that was the appropriate course for him.”
he said.
Stevens announced his resignation on May 27. It was announced the next day that Reuters’ deputy editor-in-chief Simon Robinson would be appointed as his replacement.
Mr Marks also confirmed that a formal process to replace Stevens was underway well before the media’s news director tendered his resignation, and said he had engaged a recruitment firm as part of “overall succession planning” after coming to believe Stevens’ resignation was likely “inevitable”.
Justin Stevens (center) resigned suddenly last month. (AAP Image: Mick Tsikas)
Asked whether Mr Stevens was aware of the process, Mr Marks said the former ABC News boss was unaware the search was being made.
“Sally, I have to do my part the way I see best,” he said.
“And, you know, sometimes that includes meetings with managers, sometimes it doesn’t.“
In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Marks also addressed rumors stemming from comments he made to ABC finance presenter Alan Kohler that a 40-year-old “legacy television show” on ABC “may not be the kind of content we want for the future”.
When asked if he was referring to a specific program — 7.30 He turned 40 in January, Multiple media outlets have noted – Mr. Marks said he was “absolutely” speaking hypothetically.
“A better [way of saying it] “It would be: ‘What got us to where we are today may not be the things that will make us successful in the future,'” he said.
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The hiring of activist Grace Tame to host an ABC podcast was also brought up by Sara during the conversation.
Ms Tame was criticized for chanting the phrase “globalise the intifada” during the Israeli president’s visit to Australia earlier this year.
The former Australian of the Year, who has spoken proudly of his support for Palestinian independence, hosts the four-part series Autistic AF on the ABC’s podcast platform and reflects on his experience growing up with undiagnosed autism.
Grace Tame hosts a four-part podcast series for ABC. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
Asked whether his previous comments had influenced the discussion of hiring him for the project, Mr Marks explained that the decision to hire Ms Tame was made before those comments were made, but he stood by the decision regardless.
“Obviously, I understand why people think Grace shouldn’t have a show on ABC, given the controversy… but if you look at the show itself, it’s a great podcast,” he said.
“She’s done a fantastic job on a topic that I’m sure will be of real interest and really important to a lot of Australians who suffer from these conditions, particularly young Australians and young Australian women.”
Mr Marks said the ABC needed to be able to strike a balance to ensure great content was broadcast, but also acknowledged that “sometimes there can be arguments with some of the people we work with”.
“I’ve talked to Grace, and I know that what she really hates is violence of any kind, especially violence against women and children. And I think everyone can understand what she really believes.”
he said.
Mr Marks also joined the defense of ABC’s Melbourne Drive presenter Charlie Pickering. Criticized Tame’s hiring as “problematic” during an impromptu interview with far-right extremist Avi Yemini.
He said Pickering’s remarks were reviewed by ABC management, but the comments were “somewhat exaggerated” and Pickering made it clear they were his own opinion.
“I think we felt comfortable being able to accept that his comments did not breach the ABC code of conduct,” Mr Marks said.
