ABC News has announced three senior appointments, strengthening both its investigative reporting and editorial standards teams ahead of 2026.
The announcement was made by the broadcaster’s Director of News, Justin Stevens, via an all-staff email which has been sighted by Mediaweek.
“These are exciting times for ABC News,” Stevens wrote, pointing to the impact expected from the incoming reporters and the importance of strengthening editorial standards in a changing media environment.
The changes will see award-winning reporters Charlotte Grieve and Jessica Halloran join the Investigative Reporting Team (IRT) in the new year, while Lisa Whitby will return to ABC News as News Standards Editor.
Charlotte Grieve and Jessica Halloran
Charlotte Grieve joins from Nine
Grieve is currently with Nine, reporting across The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. She has a track record of high-impact investigations and has also produced work for 60 Minutes.
Her reporting on celebrity surgeon Munjed Al Muderis, who unsuccessfully sued for defamation, became a landmark test of the new public interest defence.
Jessica Halloran adds sports expertise
Halloran, a Walkley Award-winning journalist, brings more than two decades of experience covering sport.
She is currently Chief Sports Writer at The Australian and has broken a series of major stories, including allegations against Olympic pole-vault coach Alex Parnov.
Halloran is also the best-selling author of Unbreakable, Jelena Dokic’s biography. The book was adapted into a documentary last year, which Halloran wrote and directed. The program went on to win the 2025 Logie for Best Factual or Documentary Program.
Both Halloran and Grieve will report to IRT editor Sean Nicholls.
Lisa Whitby
Lisa Whitby returns as News Standards Editor
Lisa Whitby will re-join the news division on Monday as News Standards Editor, taking over from Matt Brown. The role involves advising teams on complex editorial issues, overseeing editorial reviews, and guiding ABC’s approach to trust and AI initiatives.
Whitby has worked in senior editorial roles in Australia and the UK, most recently as Managing Editor, National News. Over the past six months she has been Acting Managing Editor, Standards and Compliance in the Screen division.
During her secondment, Sam Clark has been Acting Managing Editor, National News, and will continue in that role until a permanent appointment is made.