Nine's US bureau chief Robert Penfold to step down

Nine's US bureau chief Robert Penfold is stepping back from his role after 43 years with the network.

Penfold will finish full-time reporting in July but will contribute special reports on a part-time basis.

The veteran journalist joined Nine in 1976 after starting his career as a cadet at the Campbelltown-Ingleburn news.

Over his four decades with Nine as a foreign correspondent, Penfold has covered some of the biggest overseas stories: the fall of the Berlin Wall; both Gulf Wars in Iraq; the September 11 terrorist attacks; and five US presidential elections and administrations.

He was part of the Nine team that won a Logie for its 1993 coverage of Sydney being awarded the Olympic Games and the network's Walkley Award-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"I leave with many wonderful memories and experiences and I am thankful for the extraordinary opportunities that the job as Nine's foreign correspondent provided," Penfold said.

"Not many can tell stories of getting a phone call from the newsroom in Australia asking, 'Can you head out to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen on Wednesday and then on Thursday to Number 10 Downing Street to see Margaret Thatcher?'

"They each provided an on-camera message for Australia's bicentenary.

"Or being in West Germany when the world celebrated as the Berlin Wall came down."

Penfold thanked his family for their support and said it was time to slow down.

"I'll certainly miss the rush to the airport when big news breaks," he said.

"But it is time to take a breather.

"The job necessarily makes for an unpredictable life and all this can only be achieved with a very understanding partner and my wife Shar has certainly been that, and more, over the last 45 years."

Nine's director of news and current affairs Darren Wick praised Penfold's contribution to the network.

"Rob is a reporter with outstanding communication skills, passion, the ability to handle the pressure of every occasion and humanity," he said.

"The legacy he has created is without comparison in any Australian media company.

"His leadership, mentoring of younger reporters and cameramen, experience and story judgement are a combination that has established our US Bureau as the best in the business.

"But, well above what he brings to the table as a journalist, it's Rob's decency as a human being and his compassion and concern for his colleagues that make him an exceptional individual."

Penfold will remain in Los Angeles as he works part-time for Nine and tutors journalism students in the US.