ABC managing director David Anderson will depart the public broadcaster after his leadership came under internal scrutiny.

Anderson was appointed to a second term in the role in 2023 but will step down once a replacement is found.

He said he expected to remain in the role until at least the start of 2025.

Unionised ABC staff members passed a vote of no confidence in Anderson in January for “failing to defend the integrity of the ABC and its staff from outside attacks”.

The ABC board rejected the union’s claim and passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Anderson.

In a note to all ABC staff on Thursday, Anderson said he was grateful to new chair Kim Williams and the board for their support and efforts to persuade him to stay on for a full second term.

“Their unabashed enthusiasm for the importance and future of the corporation makes this decision easier,” he said.

“I am confident the timing is right for both me and the ABC.”

Williams, a former News Limited chief executive who took over from Ita Buttrose as chair in March, said the delayed resignation would ensure a smooth transition and praised Anderson.

“I have to say my admiration for him and his commitment to the ABC is undiminished and my respect grows ever greater,” he said.

“He is an exemplary executive in many ways.”

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA Media), the union representing journalists at the ABC, issued a statement stating that the “next managing director appointed to replace David Anderson must heed concerns about political interference and uphold the standards of reporting without fear or favour that the public expects of the ABC, along with defending staff from racism, bullying and harassment”.

The acting Director of MEAA Media, Michelle Rae, said for union members it was important that the next managing director stop the cycle of redundancies and restructures.

“The ABC is one of Australia’s most important institutions, and as such it needs strong leadership,” Rae said.

“The managing director of the ABC must put the ABC and its staff first. They must be prepared to stare down lobbying by politicians, businesses and unaccountable organisations that seek to interfere in the ABC’s journalism.

“As the effective editor-in-chief of ABC news, the next managing director must reaffirm the independence of its reporting so it can be trusted by all Australians as a source of journalism without fear and favour.”

The union also called on the new managing director to bring to a close the legal saga caused by the sacking of broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf last December.

“One of the first tasks of the next managing director should be to end the pointless and costly defence of an unfair dismissal claim by Antoinette Lattouf,” Rae said.

“The right thing to do would be to admit the ABC was wrong to dismiss Lattouf and apologise to her.”

“Dropping the case would send a signal to ABC news staff that the managing director is committed to editorial independence and to making the ABC a workplace that is safe and inclusive for people from a wide spectrum of diversity.”

The recruitment process will begin in due course, the ABC said.

– with AAP