David Anderson, Kim Williams, in Four Corners ‘dispute’

Insiders claim Kim Williams’ ‘hands-on’ approach has started to rankle senior ABC figures, with the chairman and David Anderson having a ‘difference of opinion’ over Louise Milligan’s Seven West Media investigation.

ABC chair Kim Williams, Amber Harrison, ABC outgoing director David Anderson, ABC reporter Louise Milligan

ABC chair Kim Williams and outgoing managing director David Anderson had a “difference of opinion” over the recent Four Corners investigation into the workplace culture at Seven West Media in the fortnight prior to Mr Anderson’s resignation, insiders claim.

Multiple sources have told The Australian that Mr Williams expressed a view that the episode, fronted by investigative reporter Louise Milligan, failed to meet the high editorial standards of Four Corners; Mr Anderson, and his director of news and current affairs Justin Stevens, thought otherwise.

The decision to screen the Four Corners investigation into Seven ultimately fell to Mr Anderson.

ABC reporter Louise Milligan outside Seven's former headquarters at Martin Place in Sydney. Source: Instagram

Amber Harrison in 2017. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

“As editor-in-chief, David’s got the call, and that would have frustrated the shit out of Kim.

He was really underwhelmed by the approach to that program – it wasn’t even-handed, and not up to the standards that Four Corners has set itself,” said an ABC insider, who did not wish to be named.

“It’s supposed to be our current affairs flagship.”

The program, which aired on August 12, was beset with legal problems in the days leading up to its screening. Despite Amber Harrison (the former lover of former Seven West Media chief Tim Worner) appearing in a promotional clip for the episode, she wasn’t included in the program’s final cut due to the last-minute legal concerns.

It’s understood that Harrison’s testimony was to be one of the central features of the program.

Ultimately, the episode – which was the product of a five-month investigation by the Four Corners team – was re-edited to remove all mentions of Harrison, and the final cut appeared somewhat disjointed as a result.

The Australian is not suggesting that the divergent views of Mr Williams and Mr Anderson in relation to the Four Corners episode contributed to Mr Anderson’s decision to resign from the ABC, just one year into his second five-year term.

But sources at the ABC told The Australian that Mr Williams’ increasingly “hands-on” approach to his chairmanship had started to rankle some senior figures within the public broadcaster, with the prevailing view being that the chair shouldn’t be involved in the day-to-day editorial operations of the organisation.

The Australian was also told that Mr Williams’ well-publicised address to the staff of Radio National at the end of July – during which he expressed the view that the station and its website were not prioritising hard news – also displeased some senior journalists.

Some RN insiders had expressed confusion about Mr Williams’ plans for Radio National, and whether his views were in keeping with the ABC’s five-year digital-first plan, revealed by Mr Anderson last year.

Under that vision, half of all the broadcaster’s radio engagement will be delivered via digital services by 2028.

“We will focus on bringing audiences to ABC-owned platforms while also creating content for audiences who prefer social media and other third-party platforms,” read the mission statement, which was outlined in June last year.

In that statement, the ABC recognised that it must “adapt and evolve” in response to shifting technology, changing audience behaviour, and demographic changes.

Upon announcing on Thursday his intention to resign from the ABC early next year, Mr Anderson said Mr Williams had attempted to convince him to stay on and see out his current term, which wasn’t due to expire until July 2028.

“I am grateful to Kim Williams and the board for their support and their efforts to persuade me to stay on for my full second term,” he said.

“Their unabashed enthusiasm for the importance and future of the corporation makes this decision easier. I am confident the timing is right for both me and the ABC.”

In a statement, Mr Williams said: “It is difficult to respond appropriately in terms that properly honour the period of David’s leadership and service in so many roles at the ABC, although I think he will be treated generously in the overwhelming body of commentary about his decision”.

An ABC representative declined to comment on Sunday.