The chair of The Australian Press Council, Bronte Adams, has stepped down from her role due to personal reasons.
Dr Adams, who has served as the APC chair since December, announced last week that she needed to devote more time to care for her elderly mother, whose health has recently declined.
“It has been a privilege to serve as chair of the Australian Press Council,” Dr Adams said in a statement from the APC.
“While this is much earlier than I had expected or intended, I leave deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served, and I have every confidence in the future of the organisation.”
The APC, established in 1976, is the principal body that has the responsibility to respond to complaints about the published material of its constituent bodies (other than advertisements) in Australian newspapers, magazines and on digital sites.
“I genuinely wish circumstances were otherwise,” she added. “Unfortunately, my mother’s health has declined significantly, and I need to devote more of my time and attention to caring for her.”
Current vice chair Mohamed el Roubi will become acting chair, while council member Kaaren Koomen will serve as the APC’s acting chief executive officer, as it continues its recruitment of a permanent CEO. Recruitment for a permanent chair will commence shortly.
El Roubi credited Adams for her “thoughtful, collaborative and principled approach to leadership” during her time as chair.
News Corp Australia (publisher of The Australian) and Nine Entertainment, are members of the APC, as is Country Press Australia and the Local & Independent News Association.
