NITV has appointed Michael Rennie as presenter and senior producer for NITV News, adding a regular Queensland-based presenter to the Indigenous News and Current Affairs line-up.
Rennie is a Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man with 20 years of broadcast experience. He joins NITV from ABC News Breakfast.
In his new role, Rennie will present weekly NITV news bulletins, joining Worimi woman, SBS and NITV presenter and producer, Breanna Holden and Mudburra and Wagadagam woman and head of Indigenous news and current affairs, Natalie Ahmat.
He will play a key role in ensuring that NITV’s news coverage continues to cross state and territory borders, bringing a variety of Indigenous perspectives and stories from across the nation.
“I’m excited for the year ahead with our strong team of deadly Blak journalists who continue to tirelessly report on national news from an Indigenous perspective,” Ahmat said.
On his appointment, Rennie added: “I’m really excited to be joining NITV. My media career started in First Nations radio with the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and it was the launching pad that propelled me towards a career in mainstream media.
“I’m looking forward to working in Blak media once again in what I think is such an incredible time of change, and opportunity to tell our stories in new ways.”
During his media career, Rennie has worked at Triple A Murri Country, 4BC and Southern Cross Austereo, before joining the ABC in 2012.
He will present his first NITV News bulletin on Wednesday 8 May.
Rennie’s appointment comes as NITV’s Living Black premiered its 31st season in April, with host Karla Grant telling Mediaweek that the show is more important than ever for First Nations people.
“After a failed Referendum in 2023, it goes to show that there is more education, understanding and awareness needed of Indigenous issues in the wider community,” Western Arrernte woman Grant said.
See also: ‘More relevant than ever’: Living Black returns for 31st season on NITV and SBS