Hugh Riminton is a familiar face to millions of Australians. He's the national affairs editor at Network 10, and a former news anchor and correspondent for CNN, Channel Nine, and ABC Radio National.
Hugh is an award-winning journalist, humanitarian news presenter, foreign correspondent, speaker, and author who is also a board member of Crescent Institute, which was founded in 2000 to connect, inspire, empower, and educate professionals of diverse backgrounds through high-calibre learning opportunities and was a foundation board member of Soldier On, which supports Australian Defence personnel who have suffered through their service in recent wars.
Previously, he was also a board member of the John Mack Foundation, a charity set up by New South Wales Australian of the Year Deng Adut to honour his brother by promoting peace in South Sudan and providing scholarships for people from refugee backgrounds.
Hugh has received numerous awards, including two Walkleys, a Logie, honours from the Human Rights Commission and the UN Association Media Award.
A Startling Introduction to Personal Branding
Back in the day, when Hugh Riminton was working for CNN, he was surprised the first time he heard a colleague refer to herself as a brand. The concept seemed so foreign, almost laughable to him at the time.
It felt a bit unsettling that an individual's unique and complex persona could be boiled down to something as rigid and corporate as a 'brand.'
Despite his reluctance to view himself as a brand, Hugh acknowledged the importance of aligning with organisations that reflected his values.
He proudly associated himself with Channel 10, a brand younger than him but one he was comfortable with and believed in.
He emphasised the significance of working for people and companies whose values align with your own, a rule he strictly followed.
He told a story from the 1980s about a former colleague who had moved into public relations. This colleague sought out individuals who had worked for controversial companies like tobacco firms, admiring their ability to navigate complex issues in hostile environments.
Despite the allure of significant salary advancements, Hugh couldn't bring himself to work in a situation where he would advise companies on getting out of morally grey situations. He refused a job offer that didn't align with his values, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining his integrity.
Objective Reporting Amidst Personal Values
When it came to reporting on topics that clashed with his values, Hugh explained his objective stance. His role was to report fairly on public interest issues, giving everyone a fair say in conflicts or discussions.
He tackled the delicate balance of reporting in today's social media era, where extreme views can gain substantial traction and fragment people's perceptions of reality.
He highlighted tragic incidents, like a shooting in rural Queensland, showing the dangerous disconnect that can happen when individuals only access information that reinforces their worldviews.
In light of these challenges, Hugh stressed the responsibility of mainstream media to provide coherent, intelligent, and truthful information.
He championed evidence-based information and fact-checking as crucial elements in maintaining the integrity and value of mainstream media in this digitised age.
A Crucial Early Lesson on Reputation
Hugh reminisced about his childhood, recalling an incident where a minor theft mishap led him to a significant realisation about reputation. He was wrongly accused of taking $10, which was a substantial amount in those days.
Although he was innocent then, his previous minor misdeeds had already tainted his reputation, leading everyone to assume his guilt. This early experience imparted a vital lesson about the impact of reputation on one's life.
He further illustrated the point with his father’s story. Despite not having formal qualifications, his father was a respected community member, managing a medical school and running numerous charities.
His father's integrity and unblemished reputation were his foundation, showing Hugh the real-world value of a good name.
In the current times, Hugh has acknowledged the challenges of sustaining a reputation, especially in the era of social media.
With the anonymity the internet offers, he highlighted the unfair and sometimes brutal attempts to tarnish people's reputations.
But Hugh firmly believed in the strength of freedom of speech, emphasising the importance of not engaging with negativity and focusing on keeping a clear conscience and integrity intact.
He has, for the most part, managed to keep his composure amidst online turmoil, blocking out persistent negativity and only involving authorities in extreme cases of threat.
Never Compromising Values and Integrity
Throughout his career, Hugh admitted to making mistakes but emphasised his continuous learning journey.
He shared his early career challenges, revealing how his reporting unintentionally endangered vulnerable individuals, marking a hard lesson learned about the ripple effects of international reporting in the pre-internet age.
In discussing his encounters with influential figures in the media industry, Hugh expressed his gratitude for never feeling pressure to compromise his values or reporting style.
His longstanding reputation as a principled and unyielding journalist has shielded him from potential external influences that could have swayed his work ethic.
Firmly, Hugh stressed his commitment to maintaining his integrity, opting to walk away rather than let his values be undermined.
Empathy and Understanding for Veterans
Hugh Riminton had a profound experience working with veterans. He encountered individuals deeply scarred and changed by their wartime experiences.
If one encounters some individuals without understanding their history, they might come across as aggressive or substance abusers. But Hugh emphasised the importance of context.
The very nature of his work led him to assist those in the most pain, some of whom held vastly different worldviews, especially when it came to issues around violence and anger. But for Hugh, it was about being there for them, offering a listening ear, and helping them find peace.
On the topic of being a newsreader for a younger audience on Channel 10, Hugh remarked that while television news audiences tend to skew older, his vast travels across Australia and interactions with people from all walks of life gave him a unique perspective.
He didn't see his role as just a newsreader; he loved getting out, understanding the issues, and connecting with people, considering it both fun and a privilege.
A Clear Conscience Amidst Controversies
Discussing his relevance in the media landscape, Hugh pointed out the delicate balance between skill set and brand. For him, a significant portion of his value to the network was based on branding.
If a network felt he no longer fit their brand for whatever reason, they could choose to part ways. But Hugh expressed his deep love for newsrooms, the dynamic of curiosity, banter, and team spirit that drew him in every day.
Hugh also mentioned his engagement in various media activities, including radio shows. His main focus remained reporting and covering major issues, ensuring the audience was served right.
On the topic of the controversial Robodebt issue, Hugh criticised the system for its lack of whistleblower protections, especially since the initiative was flagged as unlawful right from its inception.
When asked about public perception and his personal reputation, Hugh conveyed a sense of confidence and conviction. He wasn't overly concerned about how he was perceived.
Instead, he drew strength from his values, often standing for vulnerable individuals. In his view, reputation was built on values and beliefs, and he felt it was important for his reputation to reflect someone who wouldn't be easily swayed and who would fiercely defend those in need.
Media as an Equaliser and Emphasizing Human Dignity
Hugh believed that the role of media should serve as an equaliser.
In a world where individuals often find themselves vulnerable due to external factors or institutional failures, he felt that the media had the potential to restore balance.
The satisfaction he derived from work wasn’t just from completing a challenging task but from knowing that he had positively impacted someone’s life.
Hugh's core beliefs remained consistent despite the various tools and skills he had acquired over the years. For him, the essence of his work was the fundamental value of human dignity.
His experiences, from witnessing the U.S. Civil Rights movement to growing up in Sri Lanka and later New Zealand, shaped his strong stance against racism. His belief system was rooted in the idea that everyone should be treated with equal respect and dignity regardless of their background.
Valuable Lessons from Mentors and Guiding the Next Generation
Throughout his outstanding career, Hugh encountered numerous mentors. While some taught him essential journalistic skills, others exemplified qualities like generosity and empathy.
Robert Penfold, his boss during his tenure as a London correspondent for The Nine Network, profoundly impacted him. From Robert, Hugh learned that one could be a successful journalist without compromising on their values.
Mentorship also played an integral role in Hugh's later years. He formally and informally mentored many budding journalists. He took particular pride in mentoring young Aboriginal journalists.
The mentoring wasn’t just about imparting skills but about understanding and guiding these young talents through the complexities of their personal and professional journeys.
Final Thoughts: Commitment to Journalism and Core Values
Lastly, when asked about his advice to young professionals, Hugh emphasised the importance of staying true to one's core values.
He believed in continuous learning and encouraged young talents to surround themselves with diverse perspectives. If one stopped learning in a particular environment, he felt moving on and seeking new challenges was essential.
Hugh's parting thoughts during our conversation were a testament to his passion and commitment to journalism. Every story he presented, every idea he shared, was a reflection of his relentless pursuit of truth and fairness.
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