Fairfax rubbishes claims Sun-Herald editor Kate Cox has been demoted
Fairfax Media has disputed claims Sun-Herald editor Kate Cox was demoted to editor of its Sunday Life magazine as she has taken on a managing editor role across the two titles.
Kate Cox, who was previously editor of Sunday Life, was made editor of The Sun-Herald 18 months ago, becoming its third editor in three years.
However, today The Australian Media Diary reported Cox had been “demoted” to editor of the Sunday Life magazine.
A Fairfax Media spokesman said the report was “rubbish” and defamatory of Cox as she has only taken up her old job as editor of Sunday Life while the permanent editor Danielle Teutsch takes maternity leave.
Meanwhile Cox’s deputy editor David Rood has stepped up as acting editor of the Sun-Herald for the duration of the leave, the spokesman said.
“The Australian Media Diary’s report about Kate Cox is rubbish – and is defamatory,” he told Mumbrella.
“Despite being told yesterday that Kate has taken on editing duties of Sunday Life during the maternity leave of the current editor, and is managing editor of The Sun-Herald, their journo chose to ignore Kate’s ongoing significant role with the newspaper as it didn’t suit their agenda-driven story. David Rood is acting editor of The Sun-Herald, reporting to Kate, until Kate returns to the editor role.”
The spokesman also said the information was all published in The Sun-Herald newspaper yesterday and had happened six weeks ago, adding: “You can find all this information on page 33 of yesterday’s newspaper (see image) – it’s no secret and there’s nothing more to it. ”
Update: The Australian media editor Sharri Markson has contacted Mumbrella and said she had “no agenda” in running the diary item and that Fairfax had provided the information used in the story.
“I would love to see more women succeed as editors of newspapers,” said Markson.
“I had no agenda with this at all and I wish there were more female editors of newspapers.”
“The information (in the story) came entirely from Fairfax.”
And in today’s Media section of the Oz they also had Mark Day burbling on about the importance of truth in journalism!
User ID not verified.
The only reason I subscribe to the Aus is for the Media section. The way it is written now is perfect for the Tele. I’m off. Sad really.
User ID not verified.
I’m stunned at how tabloid and bitchy the Monday Media section has become since Nick Leys has left.
User ID not verified.