Chris Dore, editor-in-chief of News Corp-owned national paper The Australian, has resigned after four years in the role due to personal health issues.
In a note to staff, Dore said that he was “exhausted” and “can’t keep going on like this.”
“Any editor will admit the past few years have felt like dog years and as you know, I have no off-switch,” Dore said.
“I am exhausted, and have recognised I can’t keep going on like this. I have long-standing personal health issues I need to resolve and am leaving News to concentrate on restoring my health.”
News Corp executive chairman Michael Miller told staff that Dore will be undergoing surgery this week. Michelle Gunn, the current editor, will pick up the slack in Dore’s absence. It is unclear whether a new editor-in-chief will be appointed.
“I have asked Michelle Gunn to continue to edit The Australian,” said Miller.
“Over three decades in senior roles at The Australian, Michelle has developed an insightful understanding of The Australian’s audience and the issues and debates that interest them, most which are at the heart of the nation’s future.”
Dore, who had previously edited The Courier-Mail and The Daily Telegraph, became editor-in-chief of The Aus in 2018 after his predecessor Paul Whittaker was promoted to chief executive of Sky News.
In his time in the role, subscriber numbers grew to almost 277,000 at the end of June, up form 136,000 in mid-2018.
Dore also was behind the creation of The Australian’s youth publication The Oz, which launched earlier this year. Media sources said Dore has not been seen in the office for weeks, with staff told he was in the US.
News Corp has declined to comment further.
