Bruce Belsham has announced his intention to retire from the ABC at the end of June.
Belsham has been the ABC’s head of current affairs for the past five years, heading current affairs programs and content across television, radio and digital, including Four Corners, 7.30, Australian Story, Foreign Correspondent, Lateline, AM, PM, Behind the News, The World Today, Insiders and Offsiders.
During a career at the national public broadcaster spanning more than three decades, he has spearheaded the production of a significant body of important and award-winning work, as well as playing a pioneering role in the ABC’s digital services.
With Chris Masters, in 1985 he made French Connections, the Gold Walkley Award-winning investigation into the role of the French secret service in the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.
He also produced and directed major series including Power in the Pacific, Frontier, The Liberals, Top Floor and The Vietnam Peace. He was executive producer of Four Corners for seven years, leading the program through a series of major stories and investigations while also pioneering its innovative use of broadband and web content.
Belsham said: “I’ve had several different careers during my time at the ABC, across investigative journalism, documentary-making, digital innovation, and senior editorial management, and all of them have been extremely rewarding. However, it is time to move on from full-time management roles and pursue other projects.”