Peter Lewis appointed to ABC Board

Peter Lewis has been appointed to the ABC Board as a non-executive director for the next five years.

Lewis conducted a recent review into the ABC after leaving Channel 7. He was at Southern Cross Austereo for a short time, before resigning suddenly.

His career in the media industry includes executive financial roles at Seven West Media Limited, Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organisation, the Seven Network Limited and Network Ten. He is currently the Director of Finance for Acquire Learning, an education and employment company in Melbourne.

Lewis has held numerous board positions, including Australian News Channel Pty Ltd, TXA Australia Pty Ltd and Yahoo 7 Australia.

Announcing the appointment today. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he will be “a valuable addition to the ABC Board, bringing with him extensive and deep industry knowledge and experience.”

ABC Friends National spokesperson Glenys Stradijot believes the appointment “conveys an alarming message about the ABC’s future. ABC Friends believes his appointment is improper and inappropriate.

“Mr Lewis’  background is in commercial media finance – skills which are totally unsuited to the governing board of a public broadcaster and the country’s foremost cultural institution.”

Stradijot believes his appointment is “a reward for him having devised a blueprint for how the ABC should be cut… and looks to be an attempt by the Government to impose an agenda of commercialisation on the ABC.”

Peter Lewis was appointed after being recommended by the independent Nomination Panel for the ABC and SBS Appointments. The Nomination Panel conducted an independent merit-based process to identify suitable candidates to fill the vacant ABC non-executive director role in line with legislative requirements under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983.

 

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