Sydney Morning Herald editor Bevan Shields has resigned his post.
After four years in the chair, Shields will step back from his post and become a senior writer.
According to Nine sources, he will be replaced by senior writer Jordan Baker.
Shields announced his decision to “step aside” in an email to staff on Tuesday afternoon.
“Hi everyone. I am aware there has been some speculation about my future. I am writing to tell you that after four years as editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, I have decided to step aside,” Shields wrote.
“This job has been the honour of my life and I am extremely proud of everything we have achieved together,” he continued.
“The time has come for me to focus on my health and wellbeing and to think about the next chapter.
“I would like to thank you all for the privilege of being your editor. I am now going to embark on a break from the newsroom over summer and return to the Herald in a senior writing role in 2026.”
Speculation about Shields’ editorship has been rife since February 2022 when he and his news organisation proclaimed a state government sanctioned shut down of the rail network to be “strike”.
Over a week later Shields was forced to address the error as “a stuff up” in a 300-word “Note from the Editor” entitled “Getting it right and acknowledging when we get it wrong”.
The following year his backflip on a report exposing actor Rebel Wilson’s same-sex relationship infuriated the actor, fans and Herald readers alike spurring widespread backlash.
Senior reporters, including finance reporter Jessica Irvine, consumer affairs editor Anna Patty, crime reporter Jenny Noyes, rugby reporter Katrina Robinson and state topic editor Aparna Khopkar, also departed the masthead in recent times.
Late last year this writer learned Shields had begun lobbying Nine executives for a plum overseas correspondent role.
Such a prestigious placement might have softened the blow of stepping down.
One didn’t eventuate, however, perhaps prompting a change of heart about stepping down.
In February, news.com.au’s Sharpshooting column exclusively revealed senior Sydney Morning Herald writer Jordan Baker was in line to replace Shields when he did depart.
That time almost presented itself two months later in April when it emerged Shields and his partner had holidayed at the Manhattan residence of former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, something that deeply unnerved the media organisation’s traditional left-leaning journalists.
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