The ABC has appointed Craig McMurtrie as its editorial director.
McMurtrie takes over from Alan Sunderland, who is retiring after a long and distinguished career with the national public broadcaster.
Acting ABC managing director David Anderson paid tribute to Sunderland and welcomed McMurtrie to the crucial role.
He said: “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a person of the calibre of Alan Sunderland holding this position at the ABC in recent years.
“I’m delighted to announce as his successor Craig McMurtrie, a distinguished journalist and one of the ABC’s most respected editorial leaders”.
McMurtrie said: “The ABC’s role as Australia’s trusted national voice is more vital than ever, and it’s an honour and also humbling to be given such a responsibility.
“My most important task is to support and defend fearless, independent public interest journalism and conversations, and freedom of expression, as well as ensuring all ABC output is consistent with our high editorial standards”.
