Matthew Knott

Publishing legend Ita Buttrose has joined a chorus of former top editors voicing concern at an “extreme” proposal by magazine giant Bauer Media to merge the reporting staffs of its iconic titles Cleo and Dolly.

This year the highest accolade an Australian journalist can receive, the 2013 Gold Walkley, went to an understated — and unrelenting — reporter from Newcastle, Joanne McCarthy.