ABC on the hop over news hirings, firings and bias

The ABC’s managing director has faced questioning over allegations of bias and staff firings as the national broadcaster looks overseas to fulfil a key role.

ABC managing director Hugh Marks has denied threatening or pushing out the national broadcaster’s news director, as it prepares to announce its new hire.

Simon Robinson, the London-based executive editor at global newswire Reuters, will reportedly be imminently appointed to the chief editorial role.

He would replace Justin Stevens, a 20-year veteran of the ABC, who resigned as news director on Wednesday for “reasons both professional and personal”.

Mr Marks appeared before senate estimates on Thursday, where Liberal communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said it “very much looks like he was pushed … and was on the chopping block” for recent controversies.

In a tense hearing, where Mr Marks faced questioning over allegations of ABC bias, another recent firing and a gamut of other issues, Senator Henderson put it to the managing director that he threatened to terminate Mr Stevens’ role.

“I don’t make threats, senator,” Mr Marks said, declining to elaborate on discussions.

Whatever the reason for the departure, it is clear the ABC has been preparing for it for months.

Mr Marks, appointed in December 2024, confirmed he had interviewed several individuals as part of a hiring process looking for “someone of the highest calibre”.

He declined to confirm Mr Robinson’s appointment, saying an announcement would be made most likely on Friday.

During his four-year tenure as news director, Mr Stevens oversaw a number of controversies and challenges, not least the ABC’s reporting in the editorially fraught landscape following the October 7 attacks.

Mr Marks said the changeover brought the chance of renewal “to make sure that we’re future fit”.

The impartiality of the national broadcaster, consistently seen as one of Australia’s most trusted and beloved organisations but increasingly under fire from conservative politicians, was also questioned by senators.

Senator Henderson said the description by ABC chair Kim Williams – who was absent from proceedings despite a request for him to appear – of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an “aberrant creature” was appalling.

“What sort of standard is that when you’ve got the chair of the ABC indulging in that sort of personal criticism?” Senator Henderson asked Mr Marks.

Mr Marks said the “less than desired” comments were regretted by Mr Williams and constituted his personal view and not that of the ABC.

During the hearing, Nine newspapers also broke news that the ABC had terminated the employment of Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal.

Mr Fazal, a former gang member, was probed for starting a non-ABC podcast partnering with a vigilante journalist.

Senator Henderson likened the week to “killing season” for the ABC, while Mr Marks would only confirm the sacking was linked to the probe.

Asked about the use of AI to create digital stories from radio reporting, Mr Marks said the aim was to broaden the radio audience.

“Jobs will probably change but it’s not a jobs replacement,” he said.

“Our use of technology will be to enhance the experience of the audience.”

By: Ben McKay/AAP