Former News Corp CEO Kim Williams to replace Ita Buttrose as ABC chair
Anthony Albanese has endorsed former News Corp CEO Kim Williams as Ita Buttrose’s replacement as the new ABC chair.
Williams was nominated by an independent panel and will serve a five-year term. It comes after current chair Buttrose blasted staffers for their vote of no confidence in ABC managing director David Anderson.
Williams spent a decade as CEO of Foxtel, before becoming chief executive of News Limited (now News Corp), a position he held for two years. He was also chairman of the Sydney Opera House trust for close to a decade.
Buttrose will finish her five-year term on March 6.
“Kim is such a perfect fit for the role, it’s almost as if it were made for him,” Albanese announced.
“He of course has led news organisations including News Corp, he has been involved in sporting organisations, but many many arts organisations including those engaged in music and the theatre.
“Kim is someone who gets the ABC.’’
The ABC this afternoon released a statement welcoming Williams.
“The ABC welcomes this appointment,” the statement reads.
“Mr Williams is a respected and experienced leader with deep connections across the media, arts, sport, political and business sectors.
“Mr Williams’ appointment signals the continuation of stability and good governance at the ABC Board under the leadership of Ms Buttrose over the past five years.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Deputy Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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Williams is an eccentric bloke (I’m being nice) but is actually old school ABC exec prior to News and a bit of an artiste. Dunno if he’s the right bloke but he had no qualms taking on the Murdochs and their crew (and getting boned from Newscorp for it) so I doubt he holds a candle for that lot.
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The ABC has dropped the ball for many years and in 2023 was a shocker with King George ceremony preview program turned into a farce about 1st nations people, then the new years eve coverage well documented how it was portrayed.
Who was making these content decisions and where are they now? – should be looking on linkedin for a job.
Also noticed a billboard site yesterday that went something like ” the only ads you will see on the ABC is this one!!!!. Give me strength please, since day dot they have never carried ads the public get that.
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I don’t know Kim from a bar of soap, but putting a former NewsCorpse CEO in charge of the ABC is folly, and a big L for the Australian community!
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The Toryfication of the ABC continues. Upper management has been really questionable over the last few years. Such a huge shame, and a great loss to Australians who deserve a strong, relevant, representative ABC.
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Oh dear..
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Putting Dracula in charge of the Blood Bank
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unless its ads for bananas in pyjamas merch!
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