Departures of note

Peter Manning was an Australian journalist and media executive whose career spanned television, print and journalism education over more than six decades. He served as the ABC's head of television news and current affairs from 1989 to 1993, and before that was executive producer of the network's flagship investigative program Four Corners from 1985 to 1989, a period widely regarded as a golden age for the program.

Under Manning's leadership, Four Corners was credited with rejuvenating the program at a time when its future was in doubt and with exposing some of Australia's biggest scandals. He was hailed by colleagues as a colossus of Australian investigative journalism, remembered for his integrity, news instinct and steadfast determination to back his reporters in getting stories to air.

In 2025, Manning received the Walkley Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism in recognition of his long and decorated career. He died in Sydney in September 2026 at the age of 81, and was remembered by the ABC's managing director as one of the great names in ABC journalism and leadership.