ABC managing director Hugh Marks says ABC News director Justin Stevens resigns after the two disagree on the direction of Australia’s largest newsroom. Marks tells multiple outlets that Stevens resigned, and he describes the departure as “inevitable” because the pair “couldn’t get agreement on the way forward.” Marks also says Stevens was not aware of steps being taken to find a replacement. According to The Guardian, Marks confirms ABC began an international search for a new news director without Stevens’ knowledge, including engaging a recruitment company. The outlets report that Marks frames the search as a response to the lack of agreement rather than as an announced process to replace Stevens. Together, the reports describe a breakdown in the working relationship between Marks and Stevens, followed by Stevens’ resignation and an international recruitment effort that starts before Stevens is informed. The coverage does not present further details on the specific policy or editorial disagreements beyond the stated dispute over the newsroom’s direction.