Stan Grant quits SBS

Following a tumultuous year, Stan Grant has quit SBS.

He will leave World News Australia after Friday. He will be replaced by Anton Enus.

“It is no secret this has been a difficult year, but I thank everyone at SBS news for continuing to deliver a first class product and it is with some sadness that I leave such a committed, dedicated and talented news team,” he said.

Grant’s departure follows the exit of Mary Kostakidis and her much-publicised discontent with SBS management. Kostakidis claimed she was bullied and ostracised by Grant, Head of News and Current Affairs Paul Cutler and SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown, but settled out of court amicably without detailed comment.

2007 has been an awful year for SBS behind the scenes. Earlier today news emerged that SBSi Drama Executive Debbie Lee would leave for the ABC.

Significantly Stan Grant and Paul Cutler will not make themselves available for interviews, a strategy I’m sure it does not welcome when actually pursuing news stories in the first place.

There is no word as yet on where Grant is headed after he leaves SBS.

Press Release:

World News Australia newsreader Stan Grant will leave SBS this Friday (December 14) to take up a new challenge.

Stan, who has been with World News Australia since its shift to the one-hour format at the beginning of the year, will be replaced by Anton Enus who will move to the 6.30pm World News Australia bulletin.

SBS News and Current Affairs Director Paul Cutler said: “Stan is an outstanding journalist with years of experience who has helped to bed down the changes to the World News Australia service during what has been a challenging first year following the transition to the one-hour format.

“I thank Stan for his professionalism and contribution to World News Australia during this time. He has formed a valuable part of our talented news-reading team and I wish him all the best in his new endeavours.”

Stan Grant said: “World News Australia is the most important news bulletin in the country. It is the only news bulletin in Australia for those who take the world seriously – who are interested in comprehensive coverage of truly global issues such as the war on terror, climate change and the global economy, and it has been a privilege to be a part of that.

“World News Australia’s success can be attributed to Paul Cutler’s experience, commitment and knowledge of international news. Paul has spent the majority of his career working on international news at the highest level from CNN to the BBC, and it is only someone with that track record who could have launched a world news hour in Australia and stuck with it.

“It is no secret this has been a difficult year, but I thank everyone at SBS news for continuing to deliver a first class product and it is with some sadness that I leave such a committed, dedicated and talented news team.”

The hour-long World News Australia bulletin enables SBS to supplement its overseas sourced news with original content and, in recognition of the standard of journalism produced by SBS news and current affairs staff, SBS reporter Brian Thomson took home the Walkley Award for Best Television News Reporting this year.

“With Anton Enus moving from our 9.30pm news service to the 6.30pm bulletin in 2008 we will only build on the success of World News Australia. Anton is an accomplished and respected journalist and a valued member of the World News Australia team,” Paul Cutler said.

“SBS audiences are sure to warmly welcome him to his new slot.”

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