<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ABC's news director, Justin Stevens, has resigned after almost 20 years with the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/abc" rel="" target="_blank" title="national broadcaster."><span>national broadcaster.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stevens, a former executive producer of </span><em><span>7.30</span></em><span> who was appointed as director of news, analysis and investigations in 2022, confirmed he will leave the organisation due to professional and personal reasons.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement, the veteran journalist described his tenure as "incredibly tough but immensely rewarding".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/oliver-curtis-makes-australian-financial-review-rich-list-for-first-time/17be5ce1-d1fc-4508-b8e2-27fc56926795" target="_blank"><strong><span>From prison to boom, Oliver Curtis is now worth $1.25 billion</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/newington-college-students-allegedly-attempt-steal-exam-papers-sydney/d790aef4-0611-4de8-9f5e-07a2d919aa9b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Two students at top Sydney school being investigated over exam theft</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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," Stevens said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stevens has weathered several major leadership changes during his time in the top job, including two managing directors and two chairs.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/abc-news-director-justin-stevens-resigns/5175d5f9-3bd6-45ed-9f23-36067cc94221" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His time at the helm has also been mired by several controversies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In September 2025, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/antoinette-lattouf-sacking-abc-fined-gaza-instagram-post/4b763228-1abd-4af6-8ed6-5623b0e3bb42" rel="" target="_blank" title="the ABC was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine"><span>the ABC was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine</span></a><span> to journalist Antoinette Lattouf for her unlawful termination after she was sacked over a Gaza post.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/abc-strike-thousands-of-staff-walk-off-the-job-in-20-year-first-as-bbc-to-replace-shows/436b9fc7-9626-4236-baea-f0a845874625" rel="" target="_blank" title="The ABC also went dark for 24 hours in March"><span>The ABC also went dark for 24 hours in March</span></a><span> after staff walked off the job in a historic national strike.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stevens joined the ABC in 2006 and worked for its flagship current affairs program, </span><em><span>7.30,</span></em><span> for eight years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also served as a </span><em><span>Four Corners</span></em><span> producer before being appointed news director.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is understood Stevens will leave the ABC entirely.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/newington-college-students-allegedly-attempt-steal-exam-papers-sydney/d790aef4-0611-4de8-9f5e-07a2d919aa9b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Two students at top Sydney school being investigated over exam theft</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks thanked Stevens for his contribution and said he had achieved outstanding results in the role.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Justin has achieved this through a period of significant change and challenges across the media landscape, both internationally and in Australia," Marks said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"‌I am grateful to have seen the strength of Justin's editorial instincts and to have observed his commitment to the ABC and audiences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I wish him every success in the future."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>ABC head of regional, rural and metro news Donna Field will serve as acting news director until a replacement is appointed.</span></div></div>