“I understand what its original premise was, which was community-driven, agenda journalism … and I think it was brilliant. I think it had stopped being brilliant for that purpose.”
“Everyone says, well, what are you going to replace it with? There is no direct replacement. But I do say to the team all the time, we need to be thinking of things that do deal in that space of community-driven opinion, or comment, or news and debate.”
“We must be audience-focused, and we must reach as many Australians as possible.”
Zeroing in on “premium content” is core to Marks’ blueprint to shake things up at the ABC, and he is in lockstep with the broadcaster’s chair, Kim Williams, in demanding better news documentary output, more children’s content and a commitment to local radio from the ABC.
“If you go back in time, a lot of the really great programs on screen at least, that have been real statements of Australia, have had the ABC at their essence, in terms of quality scripted comedy, kids, factual and entertainment programs of the past. The ABC does have a record of quality Australian content.
“We must be audience-focused, and we must reach as many Australians as possible.”
The ABC has overhauled much of its management in the past year, and with allegations of interference from Williams in the spotlight after a Media Watch report in recent months, Marks said he had quickly identified the need to firmly clarify senior roles, reporting lines and responsibilities to avoid any distractions or lack of clarity.
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“It was very clear to me early on that I needed to be really firm in making sure that the right lines of reporting were in place and that they would be respected, and I didn’t have any trouble. Kim’s in absolute furious agreement with me on that and the board’s in absolute furious agreement.”
The fallout of the Antoinette Lattouf saga has enabled Marks to move at speed, distancing himself from the string of decisions that led to her sacking – referring to it once again as a “mistake of management” – and the even more impactful fallout from the decision to fight the case in the courts over the course of more than a year.
While the ABC did seek a settlement, he said it was ultimately unsolvable, as Lattouf had secured funding and “wanted to prove some points more than anything”.
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