View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
May 6, 2016updated 25 May 2016 9:55am

Australian journalist and lawyer Paul Chadwick made Guardian global readers’ editor

By Dominic Ponsford

The Guardian-owning Scott Trust has appointed an Australian journalist and lawyer to the new job of global readers’ editor.

The appointment of Paul Chadwick follows the departure of Chris Elliott as Guardian readers’ editor.

Unlike most national newspapers, The Guardian and Observer titles are not regulating meaning that all complaints are dealt with internally.

Chadwick will be based in the UK but oversee complaints to Guardian US, Guardian Australia and the main UK website and print editions.

He will report directly into the Scott Trust in a move which the body said maintains the “independence and impartiality for the Guardian’s internal complaints processes.

Chadwick is a former director of editorial policies at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and he is a non-executive director of Guardian Australia.

The Guardian has declined to sign up to press regulator IPSO because of concerns that the body lacks independence from the publishers who fund it.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

He said: “The Guardian has a fine tradition of effective readers’ editors and I look forward to playing a part in this valued journalism institution in what is a radically changing global media environment.”

Scott Trust chair Dame Liz Forgan said: “I am delighted that Paul is taking up the role of global readers’ editor. Paul is a hugely experienced journalist with an excellent legal pedigree, therefore I am confident that he will ensure that the Guardian’s high standards of fairness and transparency are adhered to across the world.”

Asked whether it plans to sign up a system of press regulation, a Guardian News and Media spokesperson said: “Guardian News & Media’s long standing readers’ editor system continues to apply standards set out in the editors’ code of practice, whilst also providing complainants with the opportunity to refer decisions of the readers’ editor to a Review Panel.

“While we continue to speak to industry regulators and observe their development with interest, we have no intention of joining either Impress or IPSO at this time.”

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network