Veteran ABC journalist Michael Rowland has announced his departure from the national broadcaster after 39 years, but has dismissed reports that he is leaving to care for his sick wife. Rowland, 57, spent his final year as 7.30's national affairs reporter after stepping down as co-host of ABC News Breakfast at the end of 2024.
Rowland told News Breakfast: 'I've marked 39 years in the last couple of weeks or so, and when you know, you know.' He mentioned that his wife, Nicki, had been 'unwell over the last year or so', but later clarified to Weekly Beast that the headlines suggesting she was at death's door were wrong. 'She has been unwell but she's bounced back,' he said, adding that none of the reporters had called him to verify the story.
Inaccurate headlines from Sky News and 7News claimed Rowland had quit to care for his sick wife, with Sky News describing the 'heartbreaking reason' for his departure. Rowland's actual reason for leaving appears to be personal choice after a long career.
Meanwhile, The Australian newspaper has been criticised for its response to a press council ruling. The press watchdog found that three articles by columnist Janet Albrechtsen about former ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold were misleading, unfair and inaccurate. The Australian published a 4,000-word rebuttal, including a front-page story, timeline, comment pieces and an editorial questioning the council's competence. Drumgold responded on LinkedIn: 'Who needs the truth, when you have a whole newspaper … Sorry seems to be the hardest word.'
