Ita Buttrose's big challenge as ABC chair - fight the digital giants, shore up funding

ABC's Peter Ryan says incoming ABC chair Ita Buttrose is known as a tough operator as a top editor for Kerry Packer and Rupert Murdoch. 

Analysts say Ms Buttrose's first challenge will be to restore stability at the national broadcaster and to lobby for greater funding certainty in the face of cut throat digital competitors. 

Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance chief executive Paul Murphy does not question Ms Buttrose's credentials but says the bypassing of the government's independent selection panel creates the perception of a political appointment.

Here's my analysis from this morning's AM.