Justin Stevens has resigned as the ABC’s director of news, ending a nearly 20-year tenure with the broadcaster.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Stevens said his four years in the top role ‘have been incredibly tough but immensely rewarding’.
‘Having said that, for reasons both professional and personal, now is the right time for me to move on and for someone else to take over the helm of the best news team in the country,’ he said.
In 2025, Stevens was revealed to have had an annual salary of $667,900.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks thanked Stevens for his service.
Marks said Stevens led the news division through a period of significant upheaval in the media industry, both in Australia and globally.
‘Justin has achieved this through a period of significant change and challenges across the media landscape, both internationally and in Australia,’ Mr Marks said in a statement.
‘I am grateful to have seen the strength of Justin’s editorial instincts and to have observed his commitment to the ABC and audiences. I wish him every success in the future.’
Justin Stevens (pictured) has resigned as director of news at the ABC after almost 20 years with Australia’s national broadcaster
Justin Stevens’ tenure as the ABC’s director of news was marked by a series of editorial controversies.
Stevens referenced the controversies in his message to staff announcing his resignation.
‘I have sought to strengthen and defend our journalism without being blind to our stumbles; to meet the state of constant change in the digital age; and to improve our culture in News to one where we hold ourselves to the same standards as we do of others in the broader community,’ he said.
Among the most significant controversies was the fallout from the ABC’s 2022 7.30 ‘Line of Fire’ report on Afghanistan, after an independent review found additional gunshot audio had been inadvertently inserted into footage of Australian commandos.
Stevens apologised for the error, though a review by the ABC Ombudsman concluded the segment did not breach editorial standards, saying there was no deliberate attempt to mislead audiences.
He also oversaw significant changes to the ABC’s programming lineup, including the decision to axe the long‑running current affairs program Q&A in 2025.
Stevens was also leading the news division when high-profile ABC journalist Stan Grant resigned in 2023, following backlash over an article he wrote on colonialism ahead of King Charles III’s coronation.
Stevens’ replacement is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with the ABC likely to look outside the organisation for his successor.
