Brett McCarthy steps down as editor of The West
One of Australia’s longest serving daily newspaper editors is to step down, with Brett McCarthy ending his tenure at the helm of The West Australian after nearly a decade.
McCarthy became editor of the Perth based newspaper in March 2009.
McCarthy – leaving The West after decade as editor
According to an announcement from owner Seven West Media, McCarthy decided to depart because planned changes to newsroom operations had promoted a rethink about his own future.
“After nearly 10 years in this very demanding role, I decided it was time for a break before I look for new challenges. I’m really proud of what The West has achieved over the past ten years. It has been a great journey,” McCarthy said.
“I’ve worked with a great team of first class journalists here at The West, some of the best in the country. I know they will continue to take this newspaper from strength to strength, telling the stories that matter to West Australians.”
McCarthy will leave the paper almost immediately, at the end of today. According to the statement, he thanked owner Kerry Stokes and CEO Maryna Fewster for the fast departure.
He said: “I really feel now is the right time for me to move on. I appreciate Mr Stokes and Ms Fewster allowing that to happen quickly so I can enjoy the holidays with my wife and children before looking to the future.”
Stokes said: “Brett led by example and set the agenda in WA. I would like to thank him for his contribution and his recent role in promoting the successful ‘We’re For You’ campaign. Brett leaves The West in the enviable position of reaching 91% of WA.”
Prior to The West, McCarthy had been editor of rival WA title The Sunday Times, which was then owned by News Corp, and has since passed into SWM hands. Earlier in his career he worked at The Daily Mirror and The Daily Telegraph in Sydney, and was deputy editor of The Sunday Telegraph.
McCarthy edited The West for a decade
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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well that is sudden….
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Interested to see what he does next.
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I wish Brett all the best. We all move on (I’ve done that a lot myself).
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