Gay Alcorn named new editor of The Age
The Age has appointed Gay Alcorn as the masthead's first female editor in its 165-year history.
Alcorn, who is currently Melbourne editor at Guardian Australia, will replace acting editor Michelle Griffin who has been standing in since the departure of Alex Lavelle in June.
Gay Alcorn will commence her new role as editor of The Age on September 28.Credit:The Age
The appointment marks a return to the masthead for Alcorn, who spent 20 years in The Age's newsroom working in roles such as Washington correspondent, deputy editor and editor of The Sunday Age. In her time with the masthead she won three Walkley Awards.
James Chessell, group executive editor of Australian Metro Publishing, said Alcorn has a strong sense of what is important to Victorians.
"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," Chessell said. "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."
Alcorn said she was determined to continue to lead the masthead of choice for Victorians, particularly through the coronavirus pandemic.
"The Age, as it has been throughout its more than 165-year history, is part of our community. I want our readers to feel they have a stake in the The Age, whether they always agree with what’s published or not," Alcorn said. "The Age consistently produces excellent journalism,whether investigative stories with consequence, coverage of a city that revels in ideas and debate like no other, independent sports, business and cultural coverage and vital reporting about national and international issues. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to make a contribution."
Alcorn will commence her new role on September 28. Her appointment comes three months after the exit of former editor Lavelle, who stepped down from the role after three-and-a-half years and more than 20 years at the masthead.