Allegations of workplace misconduct under his leadership at Nine Entertainment “remain a shock” to former chief executive Hugh Marks as he prepares to take on the top job at the ABC.
Mr Marks has given his first major interview following his appointment to the role of ABC managing director, taking over from current managing director David Anderson.
Mr Marks said he was unaware of any misconduct during his time with the commercial media giant, Nine Entertainment.
Asked about the controversy in an interview with ABC national affairs editor Melissa Clarke, he said his lack of awareness was something he had needed to “reflect on”.
“Having seen what’s played out in the media … I think the lesson for me is how hard it is for people to make complaints,” he said.
“Obviously, that remains a challenge even today, when most organisations would readily accept complaints and be prepared to act on them.
“[What] I need to do better is making sure that I’m actively engaging within the depths of the organisation to understand [what is] getting in the way of people doing their job well.”
Mr Marks led Nine Entertainment from 2015 to 2021, announcing his resignation in late 2020 in an email to staff, telling them the time was right for “moving on”.
A report released in October this year detailed systemic bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment across the company, based on interviews with staff.
The report claimed “known perpetrators” were not dealt with, and misconduct was driven by a “lack of leadership accountability” and “distrust” in leaders at all levels.
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He believed the alleged behaviours at Nine would make him a “better leader” moving forward, but said he could not say why victims might have felt uncomfortable coming forward.
“I can’t put myself in their position, I can only say that these are things that remain a shock to me today,” he said.
“And I hope going forward and with more proactive work on my behalf that I won’t find myself in that position again.”
‘You have to … make sure you do know about those things’
Mr Marks has noted the need to focus on areas of excellence at the ABC, rather than forcing the organisation to spread itself too thin.
In his role as managing director, he will be responsible for making editorial decisions.
Hugh Marks says he has learned from every endeavour. (ABC News: John Gunn)
While in a similar decision-making position at Nine, Mr Marks was overseeing multiple programs, including 60 Minutes.
The news program was embroiled in controversy in 2016 when it sent a film crew to Lebanon to take two children from Beirut, with the ultimate goal of reuniting them with their Australian mother.
The plan ended with the crew, including reporter Tara Brown, being held on child abduction charges.
Asked what made him the right person to be making editorial judgements, Mr Marks said he had learned “from every lesson and every endeavour”.
“You know why things happen, and you didn’t know,” he said.
“You have to put in place processes and do the right things to make sure that you do know about those things and you are active in those decisions and you are active as part of those programs.
“I feel like those are the sort of things that I will be well-placed to do going forward.”
Mr Marks said he considered himself a “hands-on leader” and planned to travel to various ABC offices around the country.
He also welcomed scrutiny of ABC coverage, particularly when it came to divisive issues such as the conflict in the Middle East.
“There is always complexity,” he said.
“We need to do a great job of explaining what that complexity is and making sure that we illuminate all sides of a particular issue.
“I think [every outlet] can always do a better job … that’s something that is part of everyone’s continual professional development.”
He will officially start as the ABC managing director in March.
