{"id":718377,"date":"2026-06-06T05:21:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T05:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/718377\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T05:21:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T05:21:24","slug":"australian-media-new-four-corners-boss-begins-shake-up-at-home-of-investigative-journalism-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/718377\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian media: New Four Corners boss begins shake-up at home of investigative journalism"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In this week\u2019s On Background, major changes at the ABC\u2019s home of investigative journalism, the uphill battle for Charlie Pickering and ABC Radio Melbourne, Gina Rinehart\u2019s renewal of a deal with News Corp and Waleed Aly\u2019s new gig.<\/p>\n

ABC plots Four Corners overhaul <\/p>\n

The ABC\u2019s premier investigative program, Four Corners, is planning an overhaul of its editorial processes and restructuring its reporting team under new boss Joel Tozer.<\/p>\n

A few months into the role, Tozer recently told staff on the show that after a review, he is planning to overhaul its leadership structure and strengthen both its processes and standards, On Background can reveal.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe ABC is restructuring its most famous show.The Age<\/p>\n

Part of this includes the shock decision to make the position of the show\u2019s second in command, supervising producer Alice Brennan, redundant on Thursday, sources not authorised to speak publicly told On Background. Brennan has since taken leave and remains employed by the ABC.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Foreign<\/a><\/p>\n

Tozer later told staff he has created a new role of editor, commissioning and standards to work alongside him and oversee research, story verification and early editorial processes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince taking on this position, I have been reviewing our editorial, commissioning and development processes, including verification, legal and editorial risk management, and have identified some gaps in how these areas are working,\u201d Tozer said to his staff in an email seen by On Background.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has become evident that the current structure does not provide enough dedicated oversight and consistency to ensure effective management and controls in these areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a reflection on the commitment or professionalism of the team. Rather, it is a structural change aimed at strengthening our processes and standards,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

An ABC spokesperson declined to comment on the restructure and also said it does not comment on individual staff matters.<\/p>\n

The longest-running show on Australian television, Four Corners remains one of the ABC\u2019s most important programs from both a reputational and audience standpoint. In the 2025 financial year, episodes had an average audience of 929,000 viewers, beaten only by Australian Story in terms of current affairs programming.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew Four Corners boss Joel Tozer has made changes already.SMH<\/p>\n

While it has to appoint one or potentially two new reporters, Four Corners has become less rigid in deciding who works on the show. While it maintains a permanent set of reporters, journalists from its wider investigations unit or other sections of the ABC are increasingly contributing. Dr Norman Swan led a recent episode, for example.<\/p>\n

In his first weeks in the job, Tozer took staff by surprise by canning an episode which was fully shot and already in post-production.<\/p>\n

The changes are moving ahead under investigations and current affairs boss Jo Puccini despite the surprise resignation of director of news Justin Stevens last week, and his replacement, Reuters\u2019 Simon Robinson not arriving until September.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Stevens\u2019 departure has left staff across the news division concerned about the prospect of more changes and even job cuts \u2013 something the ABC has privately said is not imminent.<\/p>\n

Such is the worry around Ultimo and its other bureaus that 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson emailed the show\u2019s staff last week to assure them the show was safe, after a discussion with managing director Hugh Marks. Stevens was previously executive producer of 7.30 and a staunch supporter of the show, which is still awaiting the arrival of its new boss, Dani Isdale.<\/p>\n

Problematic for Pickering<\/p>\n

ABC Radio Melbourne\u2019s Charlie Pickering has a big task ahead. This week, he took over the beleaguered Drive slot with the mammoth challenge of fixing its audience crisis. In the most recent radio ratings survey, the show delivered a 2.5 per cent share, its worst-ever result.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Pickering replaced Ali Moore as host in one of 774\u2019s most important slots. In the most recent results, the show had an average audience of 12,000 people listening in the time slot. That is just over a quarter of the number listening to talkback rival 3AW\u2019s Drive show at any given time, and half of those listening to triple j.<\/p>\n

\"CharlieCharlie Pickering\u2019s intervention into an ABC podcast made national headlines this week. But the Drive show he has taken over has its own audience issues.The Age<\/p>\n

Rewind a decade and an average of 49,000 Melburnians were tuned in to Drive at any given time during the show. It is quite a drop. None of this is down to Pickering, but it\u2019s an issue he is tasked with fixing.<\/p>\n

So with that context in mind, Pickering\u2019s decision to call a four-part interview series on autism with 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame \u201cproblematic\u201d on his second day in the job was quite the bold move. What is more, the comments were made to a live-stream hosted by far-right agitator and reporter Avi Yemini. Those two facts coupled together have gone down like a lead balloon with sections of both staff and the audience.<\/p>\n

Pickering\u2019s comments attracted national media attention this week, with the ABC then distancing itself from Tame\u2019s previously publicised views on Israel, Hamas and Gaza. Tame\u2019s podcast focuses on her experience of living with autism.<\/p>\n

With the first episode released on Tuesday, the ABC decided to release the remaining three a day later, seemingly to avoid the surrounding media circus dragging on. Plenty of 774 listeners complained to the channel directly about the comments too, ABC sources said, while comments were turned off on some posts as a result.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Some staff, speaking to On Background, questioned whether Pickering\u2019s intervention may have breached the ABC\u2019s newly restructured public comment policies.<\/p>\n

The rules allow for staff to convey their personal views outside of work contexts, but Pickering was working when he made the comments, having emerged from the ABC\u2019s Southbank offices on Tuesday to vox pop members of an anti-ABC protest, which featured around 50 disgruntled members of the public and organised lobbying groups, arguing the ABC is antisemitic and biased against Israel. On Background was present at the protest as an observer.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"ABC<\/a><\/p>\n

An ABC spokesperson told On Background that Pickering made clear that the views he expressed were his personal views and that they did not affect his ability to perform his role or the integrity of ABC content.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ABC does not consider this to be a breach of its Code of Conduct or Public Comment Guidelines,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

Pickering converted to Judaism in 2013 following his marriage.<\/p>\n

The rally was organised by Mark Leach, a minister, pro-Israel campaigner and the father of former Sky News Australia host-turned YouTuber Freya Leach. Yemini has been a speaker at past events organised by Leach and his advocacy groups. Other speakers at the event this week included representatives from the Australian Jewish Association, which earlier that day kicked off the Tame firestorm, which was then ignited by Pickering\u2019s own comments.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Gina<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the interviews he conducted at the rally, Pickering didn\u2019t end up chatting about Tame or ABC bias on that afternoon\u2019s show. Instead, there were discussions of councils providing free dog poo bags, Federation Square sacking its seagull-patrolling dog fleet, and Australia reaching 28 million people. All important issues, but the show did seem to be ignoring the elephant in the studio.<\/p>\n

Pickering broke his silence on Thursday afternoon, saying he \u201cshould have known better\u201d than to make the comments and that they solely reflected his viewpoint.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was asked a specific question about an issue that personally affects myself and my family,\u201d Pickering said. But for some staff members, there is a feeling of double standards. In late 2023, following concerns from staff over coverage of the October 7 massacre by Hamas of more than 1200 people at an Israeli music festival and the ensuing war in Gaza, then-news boss Justin Stevens warned staff from bringing \u201cpersonal convictions\u201d to the ABC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many media outlets whose stock-in-trade is partisanship, personal opinion, campaigning and trying to wield influence. The ABC is not one of those,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

While some probably agree with Pickering\u2019s view, it certainly makes the listener mountain he has to climb a lot more difficult.<\/p>\n

Gina returns<\/p>\n

This week, Gina Rinehart\u2019s Hancock Prospecting was confirmed as the national presenting partner of News Corp and Sky News\u2019 Bush Summit series of events for 2026, once again. Sources with direct knowledge of the dealings say the headline sponsorship from Rinehart\u2019s company nets Sky and News a little over $1 million.<\/p>\n

In return, Rinehart and her company gets plenty of coverage. This week, welcoming professor Ian Plimer of Hancock Prospecting to Outsiders, Rowan Dean took the opportunity to remind listeners that the company is \u201ca proud sponsor here at Sky News\u201d.<\/p>\n

Free ad space, how lucky!<\/p>\n

In its own announcement of this year\u2019s Bush Summit, Hancock bumped the federal opposition leader from second billing for this year\u2019s event, a nice nod to Hanson, of whom she has emerged as a major financial backer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Prime Minister, One Nation leader, Opposition Leader, and State and Territory leaders from across the country will attend the Summit which is taking place in Dubbo on 26 and 27 August,\u201d Hancock\u2019s announcement posted on Rinehart\u2019s personal website said.<\/p>\n

Full house<\/p>\n

In late 2025, On Background reported that Waleed Aly<\/a> turned down joining the expansion of one of the broadcaster\u2019s top podcasts (and Radio National shows), Global Roaming in late 2025. Instead, journalist Latika Bourke joined as co-host and former foreign correspondent Kylie Morris also came in as both co-host and executive producer.<\/p>\n

\"WaleedWaleed Aly finally joins Global Roaming.The Age<\/p>\n

But just six months later, On Background can reveal that Aly has joined the show as co-host, taking its presenter line-up to five, alongside Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald. Anyone else keen to come on board?<\/p>\n

Morris, a respected former foreign correspondent for the ABC as well as the BBC and fellow UK broadcaster Channel 4, has resigned as executive producer but is staying on as a co-host. The ABC is interviewing for a new EP and supervising producer.<\/p>\n

The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the day\u2019s trading. Get it each weekday afternoon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"CalumCalum Jaspan<\/a> is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect via X<\/a> or email<\/a>.From our partners<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":575670,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[64,63,134,427],"class_list":["post-718377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-entertainment","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=718377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718377\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/575670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=718377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=718377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=718377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}