The 2026 Andrew Olle Media Lecture will be delivered by Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, on Tuesday July 21 at the ABC Studios in Sydney.

Galloni was named editor-in-chief in 2021 and is the first woman to serve in that role in the organisation’s 175-year history.

She said:

“I am honoured to deliver the Andrew Olle Lecture. At a time of profound change for the media, it is important to reflect on the values that underpin trusted, independent journalism.”

Alessandra began with Reuters in Rome in 1996 before a move to London. She later spent 13 years at The Wall Street Journal rejoining Reuters in 2013 as editor of the Southern Europe bureau.

An Italian national, Alessandra is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

Named in honour of the late ABC broadcaster Andrew Olle, the Andrew Olle Media Lecture examines the role and future of journalism.

Following Alessandra’s keynote address there will be a panel discussion facilitated by 702 ABC Sydney’s Hamish Macdonald with Alessandra alongside ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks, Michael Miller (Executive Chair, News Corp Australasia), Jane Palfreyman (Managing Director, SBS) and Matt Stanton (CEO and Managing Director, Nine Entertainment) to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the Australian media landscape.

Robyn Leonard OAM, Founder and Director of Brain Cancer Australia, said the organisation is proud to continue its partnership with the Andrew Olle Media Lecture.

“Brain cancer took Andrew Olle in the prime of his life – and it continues to do the same for thousands of Australians each year. What’s most devastating is that survival rates are much the same today as they were when Andrew died 31 years ago. People diagnosed with the most common form of brain cancer are still only given around 15 months to live.

The Andrew Olle Media Lecture continues to honour Andrew’s legacy while driving awareness and support. Funds raised are helping Brain Cancer Australia build the national research infrastructure needed to accelerate breakthroughs, bringing together data, tissue samples and systems to improve care and deliver life-saving treatments sooner.”

The 2026 Andrew Olle Media Lecture will also be broadcast on ABC News Channel and ABC iview.

Tickets for the Andrew Olle Media Lecture can be purchased here. All funds raised from ticket sales are donated to Brain Cancer Australia to further research and awareness of the disease.