The ABC’s longest serving content director, Michael Mason, has announced his exit just weeks after the departures of the chairman and the managing director.
In a statement to staff, the 34-year veteran of the broadcaster and former head of the radio division said his resignation “is in no way linked” to the sudden departures of Justin Milne and Michelle Guthrie last month.
Mason’s resignation means there are now three vacant positions at the top of the ABC as the public broadcaster faces four separate inquiries.
The government voted with the Greens late on Monday to establish a Senate committee to investigate recent instances of political interference and the undermining of the broadcaster’s independence.
Mason, who was given the role of director of regional and local under Guthrie’s restructure in February, said he was leaving because there comes a time in every business when “renewal is needed” and he wants to “pass the baton to the next leader”.
The head of specialist content, Judith Whelan, will act in the role.
“I am keenly aware that we have just experienced significant change at the highest levels within the ABC,” Mason told staff on Wednesday. “I am also aware of the incredible depth and talent that exists in both the ABC’s executive leadership team and the regional and local executive team and it is for this reason that I believe now is the right time for me to step down as director.
“This decision was made in early August, well before the departure of former managing director Michelle Guthrie and former chairman Justine Milne and is in no way linked to those events.”
While Mason was a popular leader, he was accused by Radio National staff of dumbing down the content and failing to understand the importance of specialist content.
Melbourne local radio broadcaster Jon Faine said he was “an outstanding boss and leader”. “I always felt I would get a fair hearing with Michael when there were complaints about me,” Faine told Guardian Australia. “He was very supportive as the manager of the local radio division.”
Two years ago Mason cut staff and programs from RN, including religion, music, documentary and features programming and was asked to explain his plans to the board when there was widespread anger at the changes.
But Mason said being part of RN was “probably the most satisfying time of my career”.
“Diversity remains a challenge for us, but I am proud that we have gone from just one female presenter having a voice in the prime-time breakfast shift in our capital cities to five and we have an Indigenous voice at breakfast in Canberra,” Mason said.
The acting ABC managing director, David Anderson, praised Mason as “a great colleague and leader” and said the position would be advertised internally.
“Michael has chosen to make his announcement at this time to give all of us the opportunity to transition smoothly to a new director and I thank him for this consideration,” Anderson said.
“The role of director of regional and local will be advertised internally as soon as possible with the aim of appointing a new director before Michael’s departure in mid-December.”
