Free TV Australia was advised this morning that Mr Harold Mitchell AC had decided to resign from
his position as Chairman.
Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair, said: “It is with great regret that Free TV announces that Mr Harold
Mitchell AC has taken the decision to resign as Chairman of Free TV. Harold’s contributions to the
industry cannot be overstated. Over the past five years he has overseen some of the most
significant developments in the commercial television sector and delivered superb leadership and
advice, for which we are sincerely grateful.
“Harold’s expertise, experience and commitment will be very much missed throughout the
organisation. He leaves a lasting and important legacy at Free TV, having significantly changed
the industry for the better in his time as Chairman.
“Speaking personally, I am very sorry to be losing Harold, who has been an outstanding Chairman
for Free TV. It has been a great privilege to have the opportunity to work with and learn from a
business leader of his calibre with such a deep understanding of commercial television and the
wider industry landscape. He has been generous with his knowledge, his energy and his time in
furthering the interests of Free TV broadcasters and leaves us very well placed for the future,”
added Ms Fair.
One of Australia’s most successful and well-regarded media executives, Mr Mitchell was the
founder of Mitchell & Partners and executive chairman of Aegis Media Asia Pacific. He also
founded the Harold Mitchell Foundation and is a major contributor to Australian public life. Mr
Mitchell was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the community
through leadership and philanthropic endeavours in the fields of art, health and education, and as
a supporter of humanitarian aid in Timor-Leste and the indigenous community.
Some of the key issues in which Mr Mitchell has played a key role during his tenure as Chairman
include the historic repeal of the media ownership laws, the removal of commercial television
licence fees, the transition to digital only television, defeating the proposal to increase SBS
advertising time limits and maintaining the anti-siphoning list.
Ms Fair concluded: “Harold will be sorely missed by Free TV and the commercial television
industry. We thank him for his outstanding service to the industry and we wish him well.”