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The ABC has appointed Simon Robinson as its next director of news, marking the first time in decades the role has been filled by an external candidate. Robinson, currently deputy to the editor-in-chief at Reuters, will replace Justin Stevens, who resigned after four years in the position.

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks announced the appointment in an email to staff, describing Robinson as "one of the most experienced and respected newsroom leaders in global journalism." Robinson will take over a news division responsible for about 2,000 journalists across Australia.

Coverage comparison

Reporting from ABC Australia and The Guardian — World details the events surrounding Stevens' sudden departure and the selection of his successor. Stevens announced his resignation on May 27, after four years as director of news, citing "both professional and personal" reasons. His resignation was effective immediately.

The following day, the ABC confirmed Robinson's appointment. Robinson has spent 16 years at Reuters, where he is currently deputy to the editor-in-chief, helping manage a newsroom of 2,600 professionals. Before Reuters, he spent 15 years at Time magazine as a correspondent, bureau chief, and editor, and began his career as a reporter and fact-checker for Who Weekly in Sydney.

ABC Australia reported that Marks confirmed the incoming director had been chosen through a hiring process run by an external provider. Marks also acknowledged that he had been scouting informally for the role over the previous six months, anticipating that Stevens might leave.

Key claims

Robinson's appointment and background

Simon Robinson has been appointed the ABC's next director of news, becoming the first external hire to fill the position in decades, according to ABC Australia. Robinson has 16 years of experience at Reuters and is currently deputy to the editor-in-chief, as reported by ABC Australia and The Guardian — World.

In a statement to the ABC, Robinson said he was "thrilled and honoured to be named the ABC's director of news and current affairs," adding that he grew up listening to and watching ABC News. He said the role brings him home "among family and friends."

Stevens' resignation

Justin Stevens resigned as ABC director of news after four years in the role, citing personal and professional reasons, as reported by ABC Australia and The Guardian — World. Stevens, who had been with the organisation for 19 years, said in a statement that his tenure "have been incredibly tough but immensely rewarding." He added that "for reasons both professional and personal, now is the right time for me to move on."

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks thanked Stevens for his "incredible commitment" to the ABC, noting that he had achieved "outstanding results" during a period of significant change in the media landscape.

Marks' comments on the succession process

Hugh Marks confirmed that Stevens was not aware a selection process for his replacement was already underway before he resigned, according to ABC Australia. Marks said he had engaged a recruitment firm as part of "general sort of succession planning" once he believed Stevens's resignation was "inevitable."

Marks also said Stevens's exit was a resignation but occurred in the context of a fundamental disagreement over the future of ABC News. In an interview with Radio National Breakfast, Marks said "we couldn't get agreement on the way forward," and that the ABC needed to address challenges around resourcing live news and exploring different formats.

Marks signalled sweeping change across the organisation, saying all leadership roles were under review. "We've got to go through some changes, and I guess we can have different views on what those changes should be," he said.

Perspectives

Hugh Marks, Managing Director of the ABC

Marks has defended the hiring process and the need for change, saying the ABC needed to "refresh and rejuvenate" its output for the next 20 years. He described Robinson as "one of the most experienced and respected newsroom leaders in global journalism" and said the disagreement with Stevens was about the future direction of ABC News.

Justin Stevens, former ABC director of news

Stevens announced his resignation in a statement, saying he believed it was "the right time" to move on. He reflected on his tenure, saying "there is no more complex news organisation in the country, no more scrutinised institution," and that he had sought to "strengthen and defend our journalism without being blind to our stumbles."