The editor-in-chief of the Age, Mark Forbes, has resigned just days after he was stood down while Fairfax Media investigated a complaint of sexual harassment by a young female reporter.
The woman made a formal complaint to management after Forbes allegedly “groped her on the bottom” at the Age Music Victoria awards in November.
Forbes was stood down on Friday hour before the Walkley awards.
In an email to staff on Monday Forbes apologised for his actions and said he accepted that his position was untenable.
“The Age demands the highest standards of behaviour from our leaders, in the community, business and politics,”Forbes wrote. “As EIC of The Age, I must uphold all the standards which we would expect in others.
“I acknowledge and accept that I have not done so. Whatever the circumstance, even a single lapse of judgement in upholding these standards should have serious consequences.
“Accordingly, I believe it is untenable to remain as EIC.
“I again apologise to the person concerned, and I apologise to all of you as, ultimately, I have let you down.
Forbes said he supported the right of any employee who felt they had been harassed to report it.
“This is, I hope, a reminder to all that our dealings with all women must be respectful and equitable at all times.”
On Saturday a second woman made a complaint about Forbes, alleging he had sexually harassed her at a social function in February when he was news editor.
In a complaint seen by Guardian Australia, she said Forbes stared at her breasts and said words to the effect of “You’re looking busty”, before adding: “Not that I’m complaining.”
Staff at the Age were addressed by Fairfax’s group director of news and business media, Sean Aylmer, on Monday morning.
In a short address to staff on the newsroom floor Aylmer said he was disappointed by the allegations, and harassment would not be tolerated at the Age. He also said Forbes would not be returning to the newsroom.
Aylmer said in a statement that Forbes had decided to “leave Fairfax Media and the company has accepted his decision”.
“Mark felt that in this instance he had fallen short of the behaviour that the Age stands for,” he said. “We acknowledge Mark’s extensive service to Fairfax spanning more than 30 years, in various roles including news director of the Age, editor of the Sunday Age, defence and foreign affairs correspondent in Canberra, as well as Indonesia correspondent.”
Forbes, a Walkley and United Nations media peace award-winning journalist, was appointed to the role in April after three years as news director of the Age.
Fairfax Media is publisher of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times and the Canberra Times.
Forbes, who started his career at Fairfax in 1985, has been a foreign correspondent and editor of the Sunday Age.
Aylmer praised his talents when he was appointed earlier this year as a replacement for Andrew Holden.
