The role of the public broadcasters in regional and rural Australia is vital and they must not turn into "Sydney-centric" organisations, says Anne Fulwood, who joined the nomination panel that appoints the boards of ABC and SBS last week. 
Ms Fulwood replaces Janet Albrechtsen, who is a columnist at News Corp's The Australian.
Media director for the WPP AUNZ-owned public relations business Ogilvy, Ms Fulwood told Fairfax Media that the appointment came out of the blue, but she jumped at the opportunity.
"I grew up in country South Australia and I grew up without television for the first 10 to 12 years of my life, and the ABC radio was the connection to the wider world. I've never forgotten that, and I would never ever want its role to be any different in many ways. It's part of the essence of Australia," Ms Fulwood said.
"Don't confuse that with nostalgia for the good old days, because that's not how I feel."
Ms Fulwood, a former Seven network newsreader and Australian Financial Review columnist, stressed that the role of the ABC and SBS is vital to regional Australia.
Many regional television broadcasters and newspapers are struggling with downturns in advertising spend, forcing the closure of newsrooms. A number of ABC regional radio posts have also been shut as part of ABC budget cuts by the Coalition government.
"While it can't please everybody, and no organisation public or private can be everything to everybody, it's still nonetheless must reflect the values of the nation," Ms Fulwood said.
"It's not only about being Sydney-centric event, it's about this organisation serves all of Australia."
Ms Fulwood said it was important that the boards of ABC and SBS reflect wider Australia. However, she would not be drawn into questions on the diversity of the board.
"I'm not going to be telling you what the board should be made up of, that's for us to deliberate. Diversity means many things to many people," Ms Fulwood said.
The Turnbull government last year sought to address this partly with the appointment of two businesswoman in the ABC board: Kirstin Ferguson was recommended by the nomination panel, while Donny Walford was appointed by the government.