After 20 years with Channel Seven, veteran journalist Chris Bath has decided to step away from her news reading, reporting duties and hosting roles, effective at the end of July.
“This has been a very big decision,” Bath said. “I’m very grateful for the past wonderful 20 years at Seven. I want to thank the Network for giving me the chance to enjoy every broadcast journalism experience possible; from reading News to assignments abroad including East Timor, Bali, Gallipoli, Royal weddings and various Olympics, to interviewing pollies on “Face to Face”, “11am” and “Sunday Sunrise“, to “Witness” and “Sunday Night“, to the glorious anarchy of anchoring breaking news events for hours with our first class studio crews, to tangoing to ACDC under a mirror ball on “Dancing with the Stars“. I’ve loved it all, worked with some amazing people and made lifelong friends at Seven. It has been a tough decision to leave, but years ago I left a great job in regional television because I didn’t want to say “What if?” about life, and I feel with all that experience on board now, the time is right again to explore new horizons.”
Chairman of Seven West Media, Kerry Stokes said: “After two decades of impeccable work at Seven News and more recently, hosting and reporting for Sunday Night, Chris has established a legion of fans, on both sides of the camera. For all of the long days that inevitably turn into long nights, I thank Chris for not once taking the easy way to get the facts that get the story. Chris has always been there to work in the community, especially with schools, and has made trips to Perth to help with Telethon. I’ll miss her sense of humour and on air professionalism. Channel Seven will always have a place for Chris, in the meantime however, I wish her every success for the future”
Network Director of News Rob Raschke added: “Chris has been a world-class anchor for Seven News over the past 20 years. She has covered some of the biggest stories in that time, bringing them to Australian viewers with authority and insight. Her skill covering breaking news has been exceptional, always calm under pressure, making sense of major news stories as they unfolded before her. We thank Chris for her commitment and contribution, and wish her all the best for the future.”
Melissa Doyle has been appointed to Seven News Sydney’s 6pm bulletin on Fridays and Saturdays, in addition to hosting and reporting duties for Seven’s flagship public affairs program Sunday Night.
Source: Seven