Nine has announced the appointment of Fiona Dear, currently EP of A Current Affair, as the new director of news and current affairs.
This appointment comes at a time of rapid change in our news division as Nine continues to rise to the challenges of an ever faster, more dense media environment and an audience craving original news content that is delivered accurately and timely whenever and wherever they are.
“Fiona is an outstanding news person, who has worked tirelessly here at Nine across all our broadcast news brands and perfectly understands our news culture of excellence. We are excited to see her lead the outstanding team of people in television news to bring the full range of news and current affairs to our audiences,” said Michael Healy director of television. “At Nine we pride ourselves on our news brand, that heritage lives in the hearts and minds of Australians and has done so for over 60 years”.
Fiona Dear began her career as a work experience kid at WIN Wollongong, and since those heady days, she has worked diligently through the WIN Network from Wagga Wagga as a reporter to Canberra for WIN as a reporter and Chief of Staff.
“I got a call from Nine inviting me in to talk about life! And look where that took me, from Canberra to the COS in Sydney at the heart of our beating news brands, it was exhilarating and scary all at once. I was in no doubt I was working with the best in the business”.
“I’m honoured now to be given this role, and I look forward to the challenges, the news that makes our business great and leading our people as we tell Australia’s stories every day”.
Fiona will oversee the roster of Channel 9 programs from the 6pm News bulletins, breaking news teams, Today, A Current Affair and 60 Minutes. Fiona has led the team at ACA for the past five and a half years, including the handover from long-time host Tracy Grimshaw to Ally Langdon.
“A Current Affair is a special family, it’s a team who care passionately about getting to the heart and soul of every story and I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to be a part of this brilliant team. I won’t be taking my eye off the ACA ball, but we will be announcing a new Executive Producer in due course,” said Fiona today.
“Fiona has been instrumental in developing some of our most important news brands. We are delighted that she will lead our News and Currents Affairs teams as they continue to build on the exceptional results they are delivering,” said Healy.
