Hugh Whitfeld returns to Australia to head the newly centralised 7NEWS National Desk at Channel 7.
Channel 7 is set to centralise its news operations with the formation of a national desk, bringing high-profile journalist Hugh Whitfeld back to Australia after a decade overseas.
The Daily Telegraph reports the strategic move, directed by new Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony De Ceglie, positions Whitfeld as the head of the newly established 7NEWS National News Desk.
In an internal memo to staff released on Thursday, the changes were outlined in detail.
“The 7NEWS National News Desk will be home to a centralised team of journalists whose responsibility as expert editors in their round will be to deliver exclusive content beyond anything seen on television,”
“The specialist rounds cover everything from Business and Aviation to Property and Asia.”
The national news desk will also oversee operations in Canberra and foreign bureaus, marking a significant restructuring within Channel 7‘s news division.
This adjustment is part of a series of recent changes at Channel 7, including several redundancies, such as Brisbane newsreader Sharyn Ghidella. The broadcaster is navigating substantial changes to secure its future amid a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Whitfeld, aged 39, has reported on major events across Europe over the past decade, including the war in Ukraine and the death of Queen Elizabeth II. He will be based at Channel 7’s Eveleigh headquarters, with reporters contributing from bureaus nationwide.
In addition to his role as National News Desk Director, Whitfeld will oversee the Foreign Editor round. Other key appointments include Amelia Brace as Business Editor, Mark Riley heading Federal Politics, and Rob Scott as Asia Editor.
De Ceglie, previously the editor of The West Australian newspaper and a newcomer to television, appears to be reformatting the 7News editorial structure in a style more reminiscent of print media.
TV Blackbox understands the desk during the first week of the Olympics, with Ray Kuka taking the lead until Hugh arrives back in Australia in September.
The complete team for the National News Desk includes:
7NEWS National News Desk Director and Foreign Editor: Hugh Whitfeld (NSW)
Federal Politics: Led by 7NEWS Political Editor Mark Riley and Political Correspondents Rob Scott, Isabelle Mullen, Ben Downie and Josh Martin.
National Chief Correspondent: Chris Reason (NSW)
Chris Reason is a Walkley Award-winning broadcaster and TV’s best storyteller. He will cover major breaking news and events anywhere in Australia and the world. In his role he will also help guide, mentor and train younger reporters across the country.
Business Editor: Amelia Brace (NSW)
Amelia is a Walkley Award-winning journalist who most recently covered State Politics in NSW and before that was based in Seven’s US Bureau. She’ll use her experience to expose the biggest business stories that matter most to our viewers.
Business Reporter: Jessica Page (WA)
Jessica Page is an award-winning State Political reporter in WA. She currently witnesses the huge impact of the resources sector for the entire Australian economy and will share those stories nationally.
Investigation/FOI Editor: Alison Sandy
Alison Sandy is an award-winning investigations journalist exposing everything from injustice in the legal system to the documents governments and business want to keep secret from Australians. Her immense talent is currently on display with her latest groundbreaking podcast series, The Truth About Amy.
Health Editor: Jen Bechwati (NSW)
Jen Bechwati recently returned to Sydney after a stint in the Canberra bureau. She’ll go beyond the ‘breakthroughs’ and dig into the NDIS and things like private health insurance and the hospital system.
Consumer Affairs: Georgia Holland (QLD)
Georgia’s new role is critical in the current cost-of-living crisis. Consumers deserve to get more for their dollar and deserve their rights to be upheld.
Tech Editor: Shaun White (NSW)
Tech is in every part of our lives and Shaun will bring us the latest technology affecting every household but also true news stories beyond a consumer approach as hacks and scams escalate, impacting millions.
Aviation Editor: Blake Johnson (Melbourne)
Some of the biggest stories recently have been in the aviation sector. Not just on time performance, but woes at Boeing, deadly turbulence dramas mid-air and even a recent engine fire. Blake will be called on to break down every breaking development on airline deals, flight dramas and the biggest decisions affecting Qantas, Virgin and the international carriers. Blake will become the go to for every Australian passenger.
Property Editors: Angelique Opie (NSW) Melina Sarris (VIC) Anna McGraw (QLD) Jasmin Teurlings (SA) Alice Murray (WA)
Australians are obsessed with property with The Great Australian Dream of home ownership becoming more difficult to achieve. This team will go inside building delays and development nightmares to breaking down the almost weekly stats on sales prices and rents but also showcasing the intrigue of real estate in this country.
Defence Editor: Rob Scott (Canberra)
Defence is so critical to Australia right now with new investments in AUKUS and concerns over China’s growth and our border security. Rob will be across the ins and outs of Australia’s newly ordered nuclear subs, how they’ll operate and have the biggest interviews with Defence leaders globally.
Asia Editor: James Carmody (WA)
James is well placed to be dispatched to breaking events across Asia from his hub in Perth. James will become the go-to expert on the region.
Entertainment Editor: Wenlei Ma (THE NIGHTLY)
Entertainment delivers some of the biggest stories – from the Weinstein saga to deadly shots fired on set. It is time for our bulletins to modernise how we tackle culture and entertainment.
The team will be based around the country in Seven’s existing newsrooms but will answer to the 7NEWS National News Desk to be led by Hugh.
The 7NEWS National News Desk will operate like its own entity, driven by pitches from reporters pushing exclusive content and investigations, as well as reacting to major breaking stories in the rounds with Anthony De Ceglie believing “the content the team produces will be critical to driving the news agenda and engaging our audience.”
Explaining the changes, De Ceglie has told his news team,
“There will be crossover of rounds, but this will be the strength of the team. For example, Mark Riley may package the latest developments on the AUKUS deal as Political Editor, but then expect Rob Scott to deliver expert analysis off the back. Both will deliver the top headlines online throughout the day.
As another example, Amelia Brace may cover the Qantas results and the exclusive interview with the airline’s CEO, but then expect Aviation Editor Blake Johnson to be live off the back of Amelia’s story with the true impact on customers to be broken down or explained for viewers.
Our national reporters will become the formidable team to turn to for any story. In addition to our already world-class state-based news teams, they will make 7NEWS the must-see on TV and online. Bring it on.”
Whitfeld‘s return to Australia leaves Ashlee Mullany as Seven’s sole correspondent in Europe, based in London. US correspondents Tim Lester, David Woiwod, and Mylee Hogan will report to the National News Desk.
Further restructuring at Channel 7 includes De Ceglie‘s appointment of Sean Power as Director of News in Sydney. Jake Lyle has been named the new Executive Producer of Sunrise, with Holly Fallon leading Weekend Sunrise and Chloe Flynn remaining at The Morning Show. These roles report to Director of Morning Television Sarah Stinson.
In May, De Ceglie also secured rising star Gemma Williams from Nine to lead the Spotlight current affairs program, a competitor to 60 Minutes.
Finance presenter Gemma Acton was also recently appointed to the newly created national role of director of news operations at Seven. She is responsible for leading and implementing the division’s new digital-first strategy as well as overseeing budgets.
SOURCE: The Daily Telegraph
Anthony De Ceglie has in record time destroyed 7 News.
In Brisbane he sacked its main 6pm news presenter. That alone probably wouldn’t have been enough to make viewers jump ship but combined with tacky horoscopes and especially the Friday night Inclusion of the incredibly unfunny unpopular and unwatchable Mark Humphries it was game over.
Yes 7 News has lots of great talent remaining but 9 News also has as I’ve found awesome talent but without the gimmicks.
Like tens of thousands of other viewers I gave 9 News a go and warmed to it quickly…… 7 News under De Ceglie is a total disaster, he’s a disaster and I hope he disappears as fast as viewers disappeared.
I’m sure advertisers are taking note….