Leigh Sales to deliver 2023 Andrew Olle Media Lecture

ABC journalist and author Leigh Sales will deliver the 2023 Andrew Olle Media Lecture,  presented by ABC Radio Sydney, to be held in Sydney on Friday 27 October.

Sales is one of Australia’s most respected journalists and the presenter of ABC TV’s Australian Story.

During her award-winning career, she has interviewed dozens of world leaders and celebrities, including every living Australian Prime Minister.

The winner of three Walkley Awards, Sales has worked extensively in the field as a general news reporter and as the ABC’s Washington correspondent.

She also anchored the ABC’s flagship current affairs program 7.30 as well as the last three federal elections.

Sales says “We are at a juncture in journalism where Andrew Olle’s values are more essential than ever – fairness, impartiality, accuracy, precision but even more than that, empathy and humility,” Leigh said.

“It’s an incredible honour to be asked to deliver this lecture in his shadow and to remember the best ways for journalism to win and hold the public’s trust.”

Managing Director of the ABC David Anderson says there was never a more important time to endorse the crucial role public interest journalism plays in Australian life.

“Leigh has had extensive experience as a reporter and presenter, both here and overseas, which has given her unique insights into the importance of public interest journalism across all media and the changing face of news and information brought about by the rise of social media.”

The lecture is held in honour of one of the ABC’s iconic broadcasters and will be broadcast nationally on Nightlife on Friday 27 October from 11.00pm on ABC Radio.