Free TV Australia has appointed Greg Hywood as its new Independent Chairman.

One of Australia’s most successful and well-regarded media executives, Hywood is a Walkley Award-winning journalist and the former CEO and Managing Director of Fairfax Media.

He is widely regarded as having been instrumental in the turnaround of that company in the face of a changing media environment.

"Free of charge to all Australians, commercial television is highly valued by the community; even more so through these stressful times. It is the major investor in Australian entertainment content and is a centrepiece of our creative economy," Hywood says.

"As a trusted source of news and current affairs, free to air television provides a critical role in keeping our community open and transparent. I am excited by the opportunity to champion such an important contributor to our culture and economy.”