Deborah Richards

Background

About Deborah Richards

I am a story teller and a truth finder. This has been at the heart of my work as a journalist, producing over 150 hours of current affairs and documentary television in different roles – as reporter, producer, and executive producer. These two principles have driven my career and led to ground-breaking investigations, and meaningful stories that have had a social impact. As a result, I have been honoured to win multiple awards including the Gold Walkley - Australia's top journalistic honour. My journalism has involved complex investigation and a deep knowledge of media law, ethics and standards. As Executive Producer of the ABCs Media Watch program, I led the team breaking the 'Cash-for-Comment' scandal - forcing a major national inquiry and a review of journalistic ethics. Previously I was a reporter for ABCs Four Corners program, and I also worked as a long-term Producer and Associate Producer of the program. I have published in mainstream news outlets, and won the National Press Club Award as Health Journalist of the Year, among several other category awards including Best Feature Writer. As Executive Producer of the ABC's Lateline current affairs program, I revamped the show, and set an inquiring editorial agenda which frequently broke news. I understand the chemistry that makes programs work, and my work is engaging, top rating and informative. I was the founding producer of IQ2 debates in Australia for the Sydney Ethics Centre, drawing live audiences of a thousand people to hear well-balanced argument on issues of public interest. As editor of an independent news magazine in regional NSW, I trained a team of contributors, commissioned stories and broke ground nationally investigating the Lehman Brothers CDO scandal that led to the GFC. I've served as a judge for the Walkley Awards multiple times. I have a commitment to and respect for public broadcasting, an understanding of its purpose and value to the nation. I'm committed to ensuring content and team recruitment reflects the diversity of Australian society.