Media / Talk of the Trade: Chapman missed

PATSY CHAPMAN, editor of the News of the World, who is retiring on health grounds, will be greatly missed by the Press Complaints Commission, where she is held in affection because of the time she devoted to reforming the system of self-regulation, drawing up a tougher code and ensuring that tabloid editors joined the inner circle of gamekeepers. When Chapman, a gentle, slight woman, was appointed in 1988 (following Wendy Henry) she was part of a trend to promote women to the top jobs. With Piers Morgan confirmed as editor of the NoW and Andrew Neil handing over to John Witherow at the Sunday Times, there is scant sign that the rising generation of female journalists is building on the bridgeheads of the Eighties.