ABC Managing Director David Anderson is stepping down from his role at the Australian pubcaster.
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He has notified the ABC board of his intention to exit and will leave following a recruitment process for his successor.
He will stay on until a new Managing Director has been appointed, which will keep him in post until early 2025.
Anderson has officially been in post since May 2019, after holding the role in an acting capacity from September 2018. Before that he had worked in various roles for the ABC over a 30-year career. No word on his next move.
In a note to all ABC staff today, Anderson wrote: “I am still very much committed to the importance of the ABC to the nation,” he said. “I believe it is the right moment for leadership renewal for the next stage of the ABC’s continued evolution.
“To have the opportunity to serve the Australian public and lead such talented and dedicated people across the country and overseas for what is approaching six years is humbling.
“I am grateful to Kim Williams and the Board for their support and their efforts to persuade me to stay on for my full second term. Their unabashed enthusiasm for the importance and future of the Corporation makes this decision easier. I am confident the timing is right for both me and the ABC.”
Williams added: “David Anderson is a loyal, devoted and talented ABC executive. He has served the Corporation in the best tradition of committed public service over a long period. I have requested that he stay on in the role until a new Managing Director has been recruited and appointed.
“David’s agreement to offer support through the coming months to ensure a smooth the transition to a new Managing Director is welcome, generous and has been accepted.”
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The ABC noted had Anderson led the Corporation through the Covid-19 pandemic, and defended journalists, whistle-blowers and press freedom following raids on ABC offices by the AFP. He was able to secure fresh government investment after a period of budget cuts and increased the number of journalists at the ABC.
However, he was criticized earlier this year by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), whose members at the broadcaster had passed a vote of no confidence in him. He was accused of failing to defend the integrity of the ABC and its staff from outside attacks.
Today, a MEAA Media Acting Director Michelle Rae said: “The ABC is one of Australia’s most important institutions, and as such it needs strong leadership. The Managing Director of the ABC must put the ABC and its staff first. They must be prepared to stare down lobbying by politicians, businesses and unaccountable organisations that seek to interfere in the ABC’s journalism.
“As the effective editor-in-chief of ABC news, the next managing director must reaffirm the independence of its reporting so it can be trusted by all Australians as a source of journalism without fear and favour.”
However, industry body Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner took a more effusive tone in his statement, saying: “
“Firstly, SPA would like to thank David for his tenure at the ABC, and his leadership of the broadcaster through a period of rapidly changing audience habits and the transition to digital services,” said Deaner. “His commitment to working closely with our members over many years to deliver great local content has played a huge role in shaping the broadcaster as well as being critical to the stability and sustainability of Australia’s creative industries.
“We congratulate David on all his accomplishments and the indelible mark he has left both on our community and the Australian screen industry.”
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