And a new editorial board dedicated toThe Australian,which the company announced on Friday,will be chaired by Sky News chief executive Paul Whittaker,another former editor-in-chief of the publication.
The move marks a major expansion of Whittaker’s power,extending his remit from the screen,where he has fostered conservative opinion programming,to include the company’s premier newspaper.
Former senior News Corp employees,who spoke on condition of anonymity,were shocked by the company’s decision to return Whittaker to chair the editorial board that will have an “active” role in guiding the paper’s direction and coverage.
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They said the structure seemed to undermine Gunn’s authority and created a perception that the paper’s first female editor required more supervision than her male predecessor.
Professor Catharine Lumby,chair of media and communications at the University of Sydney,said she applauded Gunn’s appointment as a departure from the over-representation of men in senior editorial roles in Australian media.
“It’s interesting to me that there’s a new position,the editorial board forThe Australian,” Lumby said. “It’s unclear why that decision has been taken,but the implication is that Michelle Gunn will be overseen by Paul Whittaker,but one would hope she will have editorial autonomy.”