ABC Director of News Justin Stevens has resigned from the national broadcaster after almost 19 years with the organisation.
Stevens, who has led the ABC’s news division since 2022, announced his departure internally on Tuesday, marking the end of a long tenure across some of the broadcaster’s most senior editorial roles.
A well-connected industry figure told Mediaweek the job had become “tough” for Stevens, adding that there’s “lots of conflicting internal pressures, carrying the can for everyone’s mistakes, and turning up to get grilled at Senate Estimates”.
Incidentally, the ABC is due to face Senate Estimates tomorrow at 9am.
Long-running ABC career comes to an end
Stevens joined the ABC in 2007 and held a number of senior editorial positions across television news and current affairs before being appointed Director of News.
During his time at the broadcaster, he oversaw major news operations and coverage across federal elections, bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and international reporting.
Stevens says timing is right to step away
Mr Stevens said in a statement released today that his four years as director of news “have been incredibly tough but immensely rewarding”.
“Having said that, for reasons both professional and personal, now is the right time for me to move on and for someone else to take over the helm of the best news team in the country,” he said.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks thanked Mr Stevens for his “incredible commitment to the ABC” and said he had “worked to achieve outstanding results”.
“Justin has achieved this through a period of significant change and challenges across the media landscape, both internationally and in Australia,” Mr Marks said in a statement.
“I am grateful to have seen the strength of Justin’s editorial instincts and to have observed his commitment to the ABC and audiences. I wish him every success in the future.”
In an internal email to staff, ABC managing director Hugh Marks thanked Mr Stevens for his “incredible commitment to the ABC” and said he had “worked to achieve outstanding results”.
“Justin has achieved this through a period of significant change and challenges across the media landscape, both internationally and in Australia,” Mr Marks said.
Hugh Marks. Image: ABC
“I am grateful to have seen the strength of Justin’s editorial instincts and to have observed his commitment to the ABC and audiences. I wish him every success in the future.”
Marks also highlighted Stevens work, writing that he had enjoyed a period of strong audience performance for the broadcaster’s news division.
“During his tenure as Director of News, Justin has worked to achieve outstanding results across News output,” Marks wrote.
Marks confirmed Stevens’ final day at the ABC is today.
Main Image: Justin Stevens