‘Huge four years’: ABC’s top new director steps down
The national broadcaster’s news director has resigned after four years in the role, citing personal and professional reasons.
In announcing his immediate departure on Wednesday, Justin Stevens said it had been an “incredibly challenging but extremely rewarding” tenure in the role.
“For both professional and personal reasons, now is the right time for me to move on and have someone else lead the best news team in the country,” he said on his LinkedIn page.
Mr Stevens, who worked at the broadcaster for 19 years, said the ABC was the country’s most complex and most scrutinized news organisation.
“I have tried to strengthen and defend our journalism without being blind to our stumbles,” he said.
“It’s been a great four years, and our research has had huge impacts on the public good.”
ABC chief executive Hugh Marks said Mr Stevens was incredibly committed to the broadcaster and had achieved outstanding results while the new director.
“I am grateful to have seen the strength of Justin’s editorial instincts and observed his dedication to ABC and its audiences,” he said.
“I wish him success in the future.”
Mr Stevens said ABC News Loop and News Verify, federal election coverage and supported Indigenous issues and climate reporting were among the broadcaster’s achievements while in his role as news director.
“Our teams’ work resonates with the public (and) we are number one in digital,” he said.
“Our 7pm audience has grown (and) the news channel is stronger than ever.
“We remain the nation’s most trusted news organization.”
Mr Stevens’ resignation follows job action amid pay talks with employees at ABC earlier this year.
There have been many controversies at the ABC during Mr Stevens’ time as news director, including the 2022 Line of Fire reports. He apologized on behalf of the broadcaster for the inaccurate use of gunshots and the potentially misleading use of a quote as part of his Four Corners programme.
It was also responsible for high-profile presenter Stan Grant resigning following criticism for his comments about colonialism during King Charles’ coronation.
