Why Ita Buttrose chose to leave the ABC
In her last week as the head of the ABC, Ita Buttrose has broken her silence on why she chose to step down from the role.
Speaking with Stellar magazine ahead of International Women's Day, the 82-year-old journalist has clarified that her decision to leave the public broadcaster had “nothing to do with current events.”
After serving her five-year term, reports have swirled that her departure is related to the December sacking of presenter Antoinette Lattouf, who was let go after she shared a social media post about the Israel Gaza war, in which she condemned the treatment of Palestinian civilians.
Following the controversial sacking, more than 100 of ABC's union staff slammed managing director David Anderson triggering a vote of no confidence.
Ms Buttrose supported Mr Anderson through the ordeal, declaring it’s “abhorrent and incorrect” that he showed a lack of support for independent journalists amid Ms Lattouf’s axing.
Due to the chaos at the ABC, many speculated that Buttrose's departure was to escape the turmoil, but she has since refuted the claims.
“I did notify the government and the minister Michelle Rowland in August last year that I was not going to seek another term,” Ms Buttrose told Stellar.
“Five years is quite a long time to serve the ABC. I know some chairs have gone on and done a second term, but I’m conscious that I’m a woman of a certain age. And despite [US president] Joe Biden thinking he should run another term – I don’t think he should – sometimes you need to examine yourself and say, ‘Well, I am a person of a certain age and everything’s fine, and cognitively I’m good’ but still, weigh it up. Another five years. What would it be like?"
“You have to know in yourself when you need to step aside. I felt that. It had nothing to do with any current events.”
Ms Buttrose went on to defend questions surrounding outside influence on the national broadcaster.
“The role of independence of the national broadcaster is paramount to what we do. It’s enshrined in legislation,” she said.
“The ABC and I have never been influenced by outside lobbyists, people passionate about their particular cause as politicians, commercial interests, you name it."
“The ABC has never caved in. I’ve never caved in. Neither has the managing director nor the board.”
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