Another senior executive is leaving the Seven Network amid the continued fallout from the Bruce Lehrmann defamation judgment.

Network news and public affairs programs director Craig McPherson has quit, Seven West Media announced on Monday.

McPherson will “take a long break” to spend time with his family. He will be replaced by West Australian editor Anthony De Ceglie.

“Anthony brings a compelling vision to the director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief of Seven West Media role. His absolute focus on news gathering and storytelling will underpin his approach, while his knowledge of digital and his innovative mindset will be just what SWM needs as we continue to build a better media business,” Seven West Media managing director and chief executive Jeff Howard said.

“This appointment reflects our ambition to think differently about the future of media in Australia. I look forward to working with Anthony in his new role.

“Craig has been one of Australia’s pre-eminent news leaders and we wish him all the best for the future.”

More departures

McPherson’s departure follows others at Seven after a string of controversies have hit the organisation, culminating in deeply embarrassing revelations surrounding payments made to Lehrmann.

Former CEO James Warburton left 10 days ago, months ahead of a departure that had been scheduled for mid-2024.

Howard took over as CEO just over a week ago.

Warburton oversaw an eventful period for Seven West, in which the company secured long-term cricket and AFL broadcast deals and the acquisition of regional TV network Prime in 2021.

But the group has faced falling revenues amid a structural decline across the media industry, and more recently has suffered reputational fallout from its Spotlight show on Lehrmann and backing Ben Roberts-Smith in a disastrous defamation case.

In the fallout from the Lehrmann interview, Spotlight‘s executive producer Mark Llewellyn also left. Former Spotlight chief of staff Steve Jackson was sacked as head of NSW Police media.

Last Friday, Seven announced it had reached a confidential settlement in the defamation claim brought by a man it wrongly identified as the person responsible for the Bondi Junction stabbing attack.

“Seven accepts the identification was a grave mistake and that these assertions were entirely false and without basis,” Howard said in a statement to Sydney university student Benjamin Cohen.

‘Fresh start’

McPherson thanked Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes, CEOs past and present, and the company’s staff for unwavering support during his tenure.

“It’s a decision I have been considering for a while and believe now is a good time for all to have a fresh start,” he said.

“I’ll be taking a long break to spend time with all my family and wish everyone at the network continued success.”

McPherson is married to TV personality Sonia Kruger and they share a young daughter.

De Ceglie, who will move to Sydney for his new role, is editor in chief at Seven’s The West Australian, The Sunday Times, PerthNow and its suburban and regional newspapers.

He also oversees the recently launched digital newspaper, The Nightly.