Tips and rumours

From the Crikey grapevine, the latest tips and rumours … Journo movements. Breaking news from the Canberra press gallery -- social media queen Latika Bourke is moving from the ABC to Fairfax (and presumably taking her 73,000 followers with her). Bourke used to be with radio 2UE in the gallery then moved to the ABC, where she's a political reporter. Bourke is a prolific tweeter who writes for online and sometimes appears on ABC24. She's well-known in Parliament House for being glamorous and keeping people posted on her life, car, etc, on Instagram. But don't underestimate Bourke just because she makes an effort to frock up for big occasions. She's smart, and she's very well-connected; she's got mobile numbers for everyone who matters, and they do talk to her. True to form, she's been tweeting about the move:

(She's tweeting someone from the ABC whose partner works at Fairfax, FYI). Crikey spoke to The Age's news director Mark Forbes, who said Bourke would remain in the press gallery, where she would focus on breaking news and use her social media reach. In an all-staff email seen by Crikey, Fairfax honchos said they were "delighted" with the appointment. Bourke starts at the end of July. Meanwhile The Guardian's new editor in Australia Emily Wilson has begun her stint by announcing the line-up for the website's Melbourne office, with former Sunday Age editor Gay Alcorn to head up the outpost. Melissa Davey, another former Fairfax journo, will move down from Sydney, where she has been reporting on health and medical news for The Guardian. This brings the company's Melbourne staff up to four, including environment reporter Oliver Milman and cartoonist (and Crikey alumnus) First Dog on the Moon.