The ABC has appointed Justin Stevens as Director, ABC News, Analysis and Investigations.
Justin brings extensive journalism experience and editorial leadership to the position built across two decades and senior editorial positions in current affairs.
In his former role as 7.30 Executive Producer, Justin has for four years been responsible for leading and managing the ABC’s agenda-setting flagship daily current affairs program.
His appointment as Director follows a comprehensive recruitment process involving both internal and external applicants.
According to ABC Managing Director David Anderson: “Justin has a proven track record in editorial leadership across complex issues and events. Together with the ABC News Executive team, Justin will lead the next stage of the ABC News strategy to be more accessible, valuable and relevant to Australians across all platforms, with the highest quality journalism always at the core.
“Justin fully understands the challenges and opportunities the ABC faces as an essential public service in the digital media era.
“I want to thank the members of the ABC News Executive for their support during this recruitment process, especially Gavin Fang, who has done an exceptional job acting in the News Director role and who will continue to play a crucial role in the work of ABC News into the future.
“This is a key appointment for the ABC and it comes amid major news events – the continuing effects of the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, domestic issues such as the rising cost of living, and the upcoming federal election.
“It’s a position that requires exceptional editorial leadership, and Justin will be outstanding in the role.”
Justin Stevens, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of ABC News and it’s an honour to be given the opportunity to lead this great team.
“The ABC celebrates 90 years this year and ABC News is a huge part of its proud heritage.
“Australians trust ABC News to deliver the quality public interest journalism and services they need and which are a key part of a healthy democracy. That job is more vital than ever.”
Under Justin’s watch 7.30 has grown its broadcast and digital audience. In 2021 its national audience averaged 980,000 viewers a night with an audience share of almost 13% in metro markets and 12.5% in regional areas.
ABC NEWS programs and services include:
- ABC NEWS online. Australia’s leading online news brand with 17.5 million average weekly users across the website and mobile app, plus channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.
- Flagship TV and digital brands including News Breakfast, 7.30, Australian Story, Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent, Insiders, Q+A, The Drum and the eight state and territory editions of the 7pm News.
- ABC NEWS TV channel. Australia’s most-watched and trusted 24-hour news channel with a national weekly broadcast reach of 16% of Australians in 2021 plus 250,000 daily livestreams on ABC iview and YouTube.
- Radio/audio programs and services including AM, PM and The World Today, podcast ABC News Daily and News Stream, the most listened-to on-demand service on the ABC Listen app.
- ABC News Radio. A 24-hour service with continuous national coverage of opinion-free, independent and factual news.
- Behind the News. The world’s longest running news show for kids. Around a million people engage with BTN content every week.
- Asia-Pacific Newsroom. Produces stories across digital, video and audio platforms in multiple languages, including Chinese, Bahasa Indonesian and Tok Pisin; broadcasts to the Pacific via Radio Australia’s flagship programs Pacific Beat, Pacific Review and Wantok; and produces nightly TV program The World.