The Guardian’s Gay Alcorn has been appointed editor of The Age.
She will be the first woman to edit the title in its 165-year history. She replaces Alex Lavelle.
Alcorn, a former editor of The Sunday Age, joins Lisa Davies, the current editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, also a Nine Entertainment title.
Alcorn returns to The Age where she spent 20 years, including as Washington correspondent, from The Guardian where she is Melbourne editor.
“Returning to lead The Age is a privilege, particularly in these times of extraordinary change and challenge,” Alcorn says.
“There is pain and worry in Victoria now, and big challenges ahead. My aim is that The Age continues to be the Victorian masthead of choice for trusted, fair and brave journalism. In a polarised media era, these values are as crucial as ever."
Alcorn takes up her new position on September 28.
James Chessell, group executive editor of Australian Metro Publishing, says Alcorn’s editorial leadership, drive and independence of thought will help strengthen a masthead that has experienced strong subscriber growth and record audiences this year.
“Gay is an insightful journalist with a strong sense of what is important for all Victorians,” he says. “She is steeped in The Age’s proud history of agenda-setting, independent journalism and will be a strong leader of the newsroom in Melbourne.
“Gay is an editor of substance who will inspire and lead a team of the most talented journalists in the country who have performed so admirably this year under immense pressure. I’m so delighted Gay has agreed to come home.”
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