FORMER Prime7 Tamworth newsreader and news editor Fiona Ferguson has been appointed editor of The Northern Daily Leader.
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Ms Ferguson will lead the editorial team of Fairfax Media’s New England daily masthead in the newly created position of Peel Valley editor.
She will also have oversight of Gunnedah’s Namoi Valley Independent, The Tamworth Times and Country Leader.
A familiar face in the region after more than a decade anchoring Prime’s top-rating nightly news bulletin in Tamworth, Ms Ferguson has continued in her off-screen role as news editor for Prime7 since the broadcaster shifted presentation of local news to Canberra last year.
Ms Ferguson said she was excited to join The Northern Daily Leader as its editorial and sales teams embraced new ways of working online and in print.
Fairfax announced in November it would restructure its New England operations and invest in new digital-first publishing technology to revitalise its newspapers and strengthen its websites.
“I am looking forward to the challenges this role will bring, both personally and professionally, and to working with a highly skilled team of media professionals at The Northern Daily Leader and Namoi Valley Independent,” Ms Ferguson said.
Group managing editor of Fairfax Media’s New England operations, Juanita Greville, said Ms Ferguson’s extensive background in news gathering, editing and video would bolster the Peel Valley editorial team’s proud tradition of local journalism.
“As our journalists and mastheads move into a new era of digital-first publishing, Fiona will bring an experienced eye and a fresh perspective to the way we work, while maintaining the quality journalism that our local communities have come to expect,” Ms Greville said.
“Fiona lives in Tamworth and knows the Peel Valley and its issues. I am delighted and excited that she is joining the team.”
Ms Ferguson, who began her journalism career at QTV in Bundaberg, joined Prime in Tamworth as a weekend news reader and weekday weather presenter before taking over the main news-reading role.
With husband Chris, Ms Ferguson has a daughter Sophie, who started school this year.
Her new role begins later this month.
