Judith Whelan to take the reins as ABC editorial director

Former newspaper editor Judith Whelan has been appointed ABC editorial director, almost six years after quitting The Sydney Morning Herald.

Judith Whelan. Picture: David Swift.

Former newspaper editor Judith Whelan has been appointed ABC editorial director, almost six years after quitting The Sydney Morning Herald to join the national broadcaster.

On Tuesday, ABC managing director David Anderson announced that Whelan, the ABC’s director of regional news, would take over from current director Craig McMurtrie when he departs the taxpayer-funded broadcaster in February.

Before joining the ABC in 2016, Whelan was editor of the SMH; she also had stints as the newspaper’s correspondent in both the Pacific and Europe.

At the ABC, Whelan oversaw programs across ABC News Radio, ABC Grandstand and Radio National, and in 2019 was appointed director of local and ­regional news.

“The Australian public and ABC employees can have confidence that a journalist and editorial leader of Judith’s calibre will support fearless independent public interest journalism, while ensuring that the ABC continues to meet high editorial standards,” Mr Anderson said in a statement on Tuesday.

Whelan said she welcomed the opportunity to take on the new leadership role.

“Australians place enormous trust in the ABC to be transparent, accurate and balanced in our reporting,” Whelan said.

“We have always set ourselves the highest standards of editorial accountability and that commitment has given us recognition as Australia’s most trusted media brand.”

McMurtrie’s resignation earlier in October caught many ABC insiders by surprise, as did the resignation of news director Gaven Morris a year ago.

Both men reported directly to Mr Anderson.