Bob Satchwell dies aged 73: Tributes pour in to ‘giant of publishing industry’ as founder of Society of Editors loses battle with pneumonia and Covid-19
- Bob Satchwell was the founding executive director of Society of Editors (SoE)
- Has been described by his colleagues as ‘one of the media’s greatest champions’
- Satchwell had spent last few weeks in hospital but did not respond to treatment
- Was in a hospice for the last week of his life, his family said on Wednesday
Tributes have been pouring in to ‘a giant of the industry’ after a leading newspaper editor, 73, died following a battle with pneumonia and Covid-19.
Bob Satchwell, founder of the Society of Editors (SoE), had spent the last few weeks in hospital but did not respond to treatment.
He was in a hospice for the last week of his life, his family said on Wednesday.
He has been described by his colleagues as ‘one of the media’s greatest champions’.
Tributes have been paid to ‘a giant of the publishing industry’ after journalist Bob Satchwell, 73, died after developing pneumonia and Covid-19
Mr Satchwell – who stepped down from the SoE after suffering a debilitating stroke in 2017 – began his career as a reporter on the Lancashire Evening Post in 1970.
Mr Satchwell, founding executive director of the Society of Editors (SoE), has been described by his colleagues as ‘one of the media’s greatest champions’ after he passed away this week
He went on to become assistant editor for the News of the World and edited the Cambridge Evening News from 1984 to 1998.
Mr Satchwell was ‘always there in the fight’ to ensure the British press could report on matters openly and honestly, his admirers said.
Ian Murray, who took over from him as executive director of the SoE, said Mr Satchwell was someone who had always fought for a free press.
He said: ‘I know I speak for the board and membership of the society when I say we have lost one of the media’s greatest champions.
‘The principles of a free press ran through his veins.
‘Bob was one of life’s great communicators and this gift made him superbly able to fight his many battles on behalf of the press.
‘From Leveson to the creation of IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation), from threats to Freedom of Information, to the countless other attempts to stifle free speech, Bob was always there in the fight.’
Mr Satchwell (left) had spent the last few weeks in hospital but did not respond to treatment
Mr Satchwell (right) was in a hospice for the last week of his life, his family said on Wednesday. He is pictured holding a mini-code of conduct that was to be sent out to every journalist in Britain in 1998
His family said they were ‘devastated to lose a true character who was a loving father, brother, husband, son, grandfather and friend’.
They added: ‘Throughout his life Bob has fought and won many battles but is now resting peacefully with his beloved wife Michele.’
A memorial service is planned for later in the year, with details to be confirmed.