Ms Townsend,who has worked for News Corp Australia for five years,thanked Mr Miller for the email about fundraising initiatives in relation to the fires,but said the efforts did not offset the company's coverage of the bushfires.
"I have been severely impacted by the coverage of News Corp publications in relation to the fires,in particular the misinformation campaign that has tried to divert attention away from the real issue which is climate change to rather focus on arson (including misrepresenting facts),"she said.
"I find it unconscionable to continue working for this company,knowing I am contributing to the spread of climate change denial and lies. The reporting I have witnessed inThe Australian,The Daily Telegraph andHerald Sun is not only irresponsible,but dangerous and damaging to our communities and beautiful planet that needs us more than ever to acknowledge the destruction we have caused and start doing something about it."
After the email leaked,Ms Townsend said she felt compelled to send it to Mr Miller's email group because of the"sickening"coverage the media organisation had given to the bushfires.
"Everything I said in the email I stand by. I feel sick,not because the email has been circulated but because I have been contributing to this deception by continuing to work for this organisation. I haven't been able to sleep,this has really preoccupied my thinking;it is unconscionable what this company has been doing when it comes to climate change,"she said.
Mr Miller stood by News Corp's coverage of the bushfires and said that,while he respected Ms Townsend's views,he did not agree with them.