I don't think the news department will have to lie down and play dead like it has in the past. By and large the network has been understanding, but then so have I.

In the past ABC has made half-hearted efforts or, worse, cosmetic efforts, to do something about news and I wasn't certain about what their real aim was - nor am I now.

I don't think any industry was ever as closely scrutinized and written about and constantly in the public eye as television.

I respect the game that goes on of putting this against that, but I don't respect, nor do I enjoy, an awful lot of the actual programs that go on the air.

But unlike the setup in most organizations, where there's an administrator on top and creative people or doers underneath, I'm basically a doer and I like to have administrative people underneath me.

I don't think the news department will have to lie down and play dead like it has in the past. By and large the network has been understanding, but then so have I.

I don't expect to win every battle but I think Fred Pierce has enough respect for me that I can go fight my battles and win my share.