The managing director of the ABC has encouraged staff to concentrate on their journalism and avoid second-guessing their work in light of potential external criticism. Speaking at the National Press Club, Hugh Marks addressed the organization’s culture of defensiveness, which he believes has developed over decades. He stated that this fearfulness is counterproductive and emphasized the importance of acknowledging and correcting mistakes quickly.

"We have to not cower, but we can’t be defensive when we make a mistake, own it. It’s not hard," Marks said. He noted that the public expects timely and accurate journalism, and while mistakes will happen, the ABC is improving in how it handles them. Marks highlighted the need for journalists to focus on the quality of their storytelling rather than worrying about political implications.

Marks also discussed the recent challenges faced by the BBC, particularly regarding its coverage of a speech by former President Donald Trump. He stated that the ABC's coverage was different and criticized any attempts to draw parallels between the two organizations. "The same faults were not consistent on both programs. So I didn’t accept that was legitimate criticism," he said.

In response to questions about public scrutiny of the ABC's coverage, particularly regarding sensitive topics like transgender issues, Marks acknowledged that such discussions are reasonable. He emphasized the need for the ABC to cover diverse perspectives while being mindful of the potential harm to individuals involved.

Marks identified areas for improvement within the ABC, including a desire for more human interest stories and positive news coverage. He expressed disappointment over the ABC's missed opportunities to capitalize on the success of the children's program "Bluey," which generates significant revenue for the BBC. He stated, "Let’s not make the same mistake again. We have the potential to look at different models so that we don’t lose those opportunities."

While Marks did not join the ABC chair in calling for increased funding, he acknowledged the need for ongoing internal evaluations to optimize spending. He stated, "I need to ensure that I’m constantly looking internally to the organization to find where there are opportunities to… de-prioritize [an] exercise and take that spend and put it to a higher purpose."

Looking ahead, Marks announced plans to increase the number of primetime television shows produced by the ABC by 40 percent by 2026. He also mentioned a focus on expanding podcasting and short-form video content to engage younger audiences. Marks expressed a desire to balance the coverage of negative news with more uplifting stories, stating, "I do find that we need to balance that sometimes with the positivity of things that happen in our country."

In conclusion, Marks reiterated the ABC's commitment to providing quality journalism while navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing media landscape. He called for collaboration with global tech firms to ensure that news remains accessible to all Australians, emphasizing the importance of the ABC's role in society.