Merryn Porter

Experience

Merryn started her journalism career at News Corp as an Editorial Copyperson. She then joined News Corp’s community newspaper subsidiary as a Cadet Journalist.

She completed her journalism cadetship in south-west Sydney, eventually becoming a crime reporter, covering police and courts. She reported extensively on gang violence, the region’s heroin epidemic, and the murder of off-duty police constable David Carty.

After joining Fairfax as a senior reporter based in southern Sydney, she covered most news rounds including education, health, politics and crime, including the Cronulla race riots. Merryn's reporting on children sharing emergency rooms in NSW public hospitals led to a trial of a designated children's emergency room, which was subsequently adopted by a Sydney public hospital. She also launched a family affairs round after noticing a gap in reporting, and worked as a sub-editor for Fairfax publications.

She left Fairfax after 16 years and became a freelance journalist, writing for publications including Kidspot, Mamamia and Essential Baby/Essential Kids. She later worked as a communications and PR consultant, before becoming a senior account manager for a public relations firm.

In 2019, Merryn returned to journalism with a role at Australian Community Media, and was the health reporter during the COVID pandemic reporting on the health crisis, covering the daily press conferences and liaising closely with NSW Health.

She joined Nine in 2021 as a Parenting Associate Editor and later became a Senior Producer with 9honey. She is now a Lifestyle Reporter at nine.com.au. A highly-skilled interviewer and storyteller, Merryn’s articles have resonated with readers across Nine’s multiple lifestyle verticals, including Parenting, Celebrity and Royals. Merryn is a recognised social commentator who writes engaging opinion pieces on a range of topics. 

Education

After completing year 12, Merryn deferred university and took up a job in the banking industry. She then became an Editorial Copyperson at News Corp before completing a three-year journalism cadetship, which was fast-tracked due to performance.

Merryn has undertaken numerous educational and personal development courses, and holds a certificate in business studies and a number of statements of attainment.

She has undertaken training in television and radio production techniques, and completed courses in investigative journalism, local government, media law and social media, as well as extensive in-house training. 

Awards and Recognition

Merryn has received a number of nominations for industry awards for her reporting. 

She was a NSW and national finalist in the Australian Newspaper Association Awards several years running, and won Best News Story and Best Feature Story at Fairfax Newspapers’ annual awards ceremony. 

Merryn has been mentioned in NSW Parliament on occasions for her work and has received recognition at state and national level for helping to raise awareness of important issues.

Merryn has made a number of radio appearances to discuss celebrity news.