ABC Investigations Boss Leaves Amid Four Corners Probe
Thursday, 6 August 2026, at 5:22 pm
Thursday, 6 August 2026, at 6:42 pm
Jo Puccini is leaving the ABC after 25 years.
In short
Award-winning ABC investigations boss Jo Puccini is leaving after a 25-year career.
She oversaw Four Corners and Background Briefing, which removed three programs by Mahmood Fazal due to accuracy concerns.
What's next
The ABC Ombudsman's investigation into Fazal's reporting continues.
The ABC's head of investigations, Jo Puccini, is leaving the public broadcaster.
In an email, acting news director Donna Field said Puccini shaped significant public interest journalism, leading to numerous Walkley awards.
We wish Jo every success in whatever comes next.
The announcement comes with a deepening investigation into Mahmood Fazal's work. Four Corners falls under Puccini's oversight.
Storied career for Puccini
Puccini joined the ABC in 2000, working at Media Watch, then Four Corners, where she won three Walkley Awards.
She held senior roles at Media Watch, Lateline, 7.30, and ABC Investigations.
Puccini said it's time for a new chapter in her career.
I'm proud of the journalism I've helped produce and its impact on our audience.
It's been an adventure to work at the national broadcaster. Now, it's time for a new chapter.
I'll be watching and cheering you on to great success.
Three stories by Mahmood Fazal have been withdrawn by the ABC.
Accuracy concerns over Fazal's reporting
Three stories by Fazal were withdrawn due to concerns about their accuracy.
Other senior managers left the broadcaster for unrelated reasons, including Four Corners executive producer Mathew Carney.
Fazal was a member of the Mongols bikie club before becoming a journalist.
He was terminated after an ABC investigation into his appearance on a podcast.
The ABC removed two Four Corners episodes and a Background Briefing episode due to accuracy concerns.
Media Watch reported concerns over Fazal's reporting, including a hire car used to mislead viewers.
A woman, 'Remy', in Fazal's story said her core story was invented.
Remy told Media Watch she considered her role 'an acting part and a favour to Mahmood'.
All of that story is a complete fable, with no validity.
Media Watch alleged the Mercedes-Benz in the Four Corners episode was hired by the ABC.
Fazal rejected the claims and stood by the integrity of his reporting.
I reject the suggestion that I fabricated or knowingly published false information.
The ABC said Fazal's episodes were removed due to concerns about the veracity of sources.
The ABC Ombudsman is conducting an independent review of the Four Corners programs.
Apology to Gina Rinehart
The ABC apologised for a Race Around the World episode containing remarks about Gina Rinehart.
The episode featured a contestant describing a violent attack on Mrs Rinehart.
The ABC apologises for the episode.
Managing director Hugh Marks said the segment fell short of community expectations.
While the Ombudsman found no breach of editorial policies, the ABC acknowledges the episode fell short of expectations.
The ABC apologises to Mrs Rinehart and anyone else affected.
Hancock Prospecting called on the ABC to remove the material and investigate.
McGuinness apologised to anyone she offended, saying her humour was 'farcical'.
In no way was it my intention to promote violence.
My writing is cartoonish and always satirical.
Unfortunately, jokes do not land with everyone.
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