Michael Rowland, the national affairs reporter for ABC's 7.30 program, has announced he is leaving the broadcaster after 39 years. Rowland, who began as a cadet journalist in 1987, said the decision to step away was difficult but right, citing the grinding environment of daily news and the changing media landscape.
Reflecting on his career, Rowland noted the dramatic technological changes, from typing stories in triplicate and using brick-sized mobile phones to modern live TV requiring only small devices. He also highlighted the shift from a male-dominated newsroom to one more reflective of society.
Rowland covered major events including the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, the election of Barack Obama as US president, the David Hicks case at Guantanamo Bay, and the global financial crisis. He also reported on the Black Summer bushfires and followed Harley Davidson enthusiasts through Oklahoma.
He praised the ABC's commitment to truth, facts, and fairness, calling the broadcaster a national treasure. Rowland leaves as his eighth managing director, Hugh Marks, takes the helm.
