There’s been another top-level shake-up for Nine’s TV news department.
In an email sent out to staff, Nine’s Director of News & Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, announced the appointments of several key roles.
Among the changes include the appointment of Michael Best to the position of Sydney news director.
It reads: “Many of you will remember Michael from his previous stint at Nine, and as a senior reporter in Brisbane, Europe correspondent in London, or as a news director in Perth.
“After leaving Nine in 2022 Michael honed his skills in corporate Australia with senior communications roles at Tattarang and Gladstone Ports Corporation. Here, he led large teams and drove high levels of team satisfaction and engagement through his collaborative and supportive style, which, coupled with his inherent new sense, makes him a great fit for the Sydney news director role.”
Michael Best.
Margie McLew, who has been acting in the role for several months, will then move into the position of deputy news director.
The network will also welcome a new US bureau chief, with Today Show Ep Kendall Bora to take on the role. She’s set to head over there in March, with her appointment to soon be confirmed.
Hugh Nailon will take on the role of National TV News Director, a responsibility he will toggle with his current Melbourne TV News Director role.
Regarding his appointment, Dear wrote: “Hugh has done a terrific job unofficially acting in this capacity since December. So I am excited to formalise this appointment with the creation of this role, all state news directors will report to Hugh, who will report to me.”
Hugh Nailon.
In a written statement Dear praised the appointments, saying they “underline the calibre of people we have leading our News and Current Affairs at Nine”.
“Hugh is one of Australia’s most experienced news leaders, with widespread respect across the industry. He was the standout candidate for this national leadership role. Hugh has done a terrific job unofficially acting in this capacity since December, so I am excited to formalise this appointment.
Nailon said: “Working for 9News is an absolute privilege. I am looking forward to continuing in this new role, which allows me to support and inspire the talented teams in Nine’s newsrooms around the country and our foreign bureaus.”
As for Best, Dear said: “We’re excited to welcome Michael home to Nine and to 9News Sydney. Michael is a collaborative and supportive leader and a passionate newshound, which is a winning combination for this role. We’re particularly excited about his ability to hit the ground running at Nine, while bringing a new and fresh perspective to the Sydney newsroom.
Best said that he was “proud and excited to be returning to 9News”.
“I have always believed in the critical role great journalism plays in society. At a time when we have unlimited access to information, we need a trusted source that we can rely on to make informed decisions every day for our families, our businesses and our lives. Now, more than ever, Sydney needs the facts. That’s what 9News Sydney delivers every single day. I am looking forward to continuing the important legacy of 9News Sydney and building our connection with the people who are the heart of this great city.”
Meanwhile, Dear had nothing but praise for Bora, writing: “Kendall has had a stellar run at Today Show as EP and has spearheaded a number of transformative projects, including the streamlining of the entire Today Show team. With the global focus on all things America, I’m excited about what she can achieve as head of Nine’s famed US bureau.”
Kendall Bora.
The changes come off the back of a slew of axings across the Darwin and Gold Coast newsrooms.
Among the cuts saw the axing of the 9News Darwin bulletin, with redeployment offered to impacted staff. Only a reporter and camera operator will remain on the ground to tell the Territory’s stories to a national audience.
Meanwhile, structural changes were made to the Gold Coast newsroom, with its nightly bulletin to be presented by a single newsreader, with Eva Milic and Paul Taylor splitting these responsibilities across the week.
It’s understood two redundancies will also be made.
Pictured: Michael Best and Hugh Nailon