Following the announcement of SBS Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Michael Ebeid’s decision to resign from his position after seven-and-a-half years of service, the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) released a statement recognising his contribution to the field of media in Australia.
“Michael Ebeid’s guidance of SBS has been transformative. He has expanded and widened the broadcaster’s audience, while remaining fiercely committed to all the values which make SBS such an integral part of multicultural Australia,” said FECCA chairperson Mary Patetsos.
“Under Michael Ebeid, SBS TV, radio and online services truly reflect a diverse and enriched Australia. The news, information, entertainment selection and language selection options available on SBS provide a wonderful choice for those millions of Australians who seek high-quality news and entertainment. And the SBS in-language aid migrant participation in Australian life, with about 1.5 million podcast downloads of SBS in-language programs every month.”
She went on to acknowledge that SBS is now, more than ever, a vigorous and visible embodiment of the ongoing success of Australia’s great multicultural society.
Mr Ebeid’s departure has been described as “disappointing” by the network’s chairman Bulent Hass Dellal. This doesn’t take away from the fact that he is leavnig the broadcaster in a very strong position, especially after the success it saw with the World Cup ratings, with hundreds of thousands of people tuning in to watch the matches.
Mr Ebeid himself spoke of the decision to step down as being “…one of the most difficult I’ve made.”