Reuters executive Simon Robinson is expected to be appointed as the ABC’s news director in the coming days, following Justin Stevens immediate resignation.
Robinson is expected to replace Stevens, who resigned on Wednesday after four years in the role, citing personal and professional reasons.
During Senate estimates, ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks confirmed that the broadcaster will seek an external candidate for the role.
According to The Guardian’s media writer, Amanda Meade, Robinson is that candidate.
Robinson’s name was also raised by Senator Mehreen Faruqi during the hearing, but Marks declined to confirm or deny the reports.
“Was Simon Robinson from Reuters being appointed as the news director of the ABC,” Faruqi asked.
Marks declined to confirm the reports.
“When an appointment is ready to be made, we will make that appointment, and I expect to make one in the near future,” he said.
Faruqi replied: “Okay, well, news is reporting that it is Simon Robinson, so you could just tell us now.”
Marks responded: “I’m not prone to making announcements in Senate estimates proceedings.”
The role carries responsibility for about 2,000 staff across ABC News.
ABC looks to refresh output
Marks was also asked about Stevens’ resignation during the hearing, with Senator Sarah Henderson telling 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.”
ABC Boss Hugh Marks and Senator Sarah Henderson
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.
Robinson’s Reuters background
Robinson has spent 16 years at Reuters and is currently deputy to the editor-in-chief of its 2,600-person newsroom.
He began his career at Time Inc in Sydney as a fact-checker on Who Weekly, before building an international career with Time as a correspondent, bureau chief, and editor.
As per The Guardian, two sources with knowledge of the expected appointment said Robinson had recently been at the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters and that ABC Chair Kim Williams was a supporter.
According to his LinkedIn biography, Robinson says he helps shape Reuters’ editorial vision and has experience as a correspondent, news editor, investigative editor and newsroom leader.
Top image: Simon Robinson