Journalism legend Peter Manning dies aged 81

Peter Manning, a stalwart of investigative journalism, has been remembered as a "colossus" of the industry after his passing at the age of 81.

Manning, who led the ABC's Four Corners program through a golden age from 1985 to 1989 as executive producer, was credited with rejuvenating the show when it faced cancellation. His daughter, Thea Burke, announced his death on Monday morning at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after an illness.

"Dad was an incredible journalist, but he was an even better man," Ms Burke said. "He embodied joy, love and laughter and taught us the meaning of living a big and full life with those you love."

Manning received the Walkley Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism last year for his long and decorated career that exposed some of Australia's biggest scandals.

"His name is synonymous with independence, integrity, courage and journalistic excellence," ABC managing director Hugh Marks said in a statement. "His legacy endures in the generations of journalists and leaders he mentored and in the standards he set for public interest journalism."

Walkley Foundation CEO Shona Martyn said Manning was regarded by his peers as a "colossus of Australian investigative journalism".

"Generations of journalists have been inspired by his visionary leadership during a career that spanned TV, print and journalism education over more than 60 years," she said. "He was known for his integrity, incredible news instinct and for a steadfast determination to back his troops to get the stories out."

Manning was the driving force behind Chris Masters's 1987 story The Moonlight State, which revealed institutional corruption under Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

"Peter had great instincts. I used to call it his 'over-the-horizon radar'. He just seemed to sense that there was a big story there," Masters said.

Kate McClymont, the Sydney Morning Herald's chief investigative reporter, began working for Four Corners as a researcher a few weeks before The Moonlight State went to air.

"I honestly thought I had died and gone to heaven, the excitement of coming to work at a place like this," she said. "Working for [Manning] and working at the ABC was what launched me on the path of pursuing investigative journalism."

Manning's legacy continues to inspire journalists, with his son Paddy following in his footsteps as an investigative journalist for the ABC.

"Peter didn't only defend his journalists against outside attack. He was prepared on occasion to take on top management if he thought their judgements were wrong," veteran journalist Kerry O'Brien said. "He was a fierce defender of journalistic excellence and put his own career on the line multiple times in support of his reporters."