New ABC managing director Hugh Marks has faced immediate scrutiny over the sudden resignation of the broadcaster’s news boss, with senators suggesting former director of news Justin Stevens had effectively been pushed out of the role.
Appearing before Senate Estimates less than 24 hours after Stevens’ resignation was announced internally, Marks was repeatedly questioned about the circumstances surrounding the veteran executive’s departure after almost 19 years at the national broadcaster.
Within minutes of proceedings beginning, Senator Sarah Henderson told Marks: “It does very much look like he was pushed”.
“Can I put it to you that there were too many instances where Mr Stevens made the wrong judgment?” Henderson said.
“It does very much look like he was pushed, he was encouraged to resign, he was on the tipping block, I think it’s well known within and outside the ABC.”
Marks did not directly reject the characterisation, instead pivoting to the broadcaster’s future direction.
“As we go into a future that rapidly approaches for many years, but it continues at a pace, you know, it calls into question what our strategic priorities are in all of our output,” he said.
“What has served us in the past may not serve us well in the future, and this applies to all of our divisions, not just News and current affairs.”
Justin Stevens
Stevens exits after nearly two decades
Stevens resigned from the national broadcaster after almost 19 years with the organisation.
He had led the ABC’s news division since 2022 and 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 role had become “tough” for Stevens, citing “lots of conflicting internal pressures, carrying the can for everyone’s mistakes, and turning up to get grilled at Senate Estimates”.
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.
Senators raise editorial controversies
During the hearing, Henderson referenced a series of controversies tied to ABC News and current affairs operations under Stevens’ leadership.
“A range of visions made by Mr Stevens, including most notably the Heston Russell case, the fake gunshots scandal, and how that was managed by the ABC, but many other concerns, including in relation to bias by ABC News and Current Affairs, can I assume, Mr Marks, that Mr Stevens was encouraged to resign very strongly?” she asked.
Marks again declined to detail the circumstances surrounding Stevens’ departure.
“Well, sir, no, I think it’s, it’s inappropriate for me to go into detail in specific staff matters,” he said.
“But give me further background on that, other than what we’ve already said in our public statements, and what I’ve mentioned today.”
He again framed the resignation as part of a broader transition period for the broadcaster.
“But, as I said, when I first answered the question, it is an opportunity for us to move forward and look at a refreshed and rejuvenated output as we work out what you know about the future of the ABC.”
Marks flags ‘refresh and rejuvenation’
Marks also described Stevens’ departure as an inflection point for the broadcaster as it reassesses its long-term editorial strategy.
“I think this felt, you know, it was the right time for him to move on and pursue other careers,” Marks said.
“And I think it’s an opportunity, obviously, for the ABC to enter into a new phase of operations, where we look to, you know, refresh and rejuvenate our output for what might be, you know, the next 20 years. years fit for the future.”
Marks also confirmed the broadcaster will be seeking an external candidate for the role.
Main image: ABC Boss Hugh Marks and Senator Sarah Henderson