Fairfax Media released a statement through a spokesman on Friday night: “Fairfax is committed to a safe workplace and has zero tolerance for any behaviour that does not meet the highest standards.

“Alex Lavelle, editor of The Age, will oversee the newsroom.”

It is understood the allegation related to an alleged incident that took place as part of the recent The Age Music Victoria Awards.

The Guardian is reporting that a young female journalist complained to management that Forbes allegedly “groped her on the bottom”.

Mr Forbes was appointed The Age’s acting editor-in-chief in February, replacing Andrew Holden, and officially handed the full-time role in April.

At the time of his appointment to the editor-in-chief position, Fairfax editorial director Sean Aylmer described Mr Forbes as an outstanding journalist “with a keen news sense and belief in quality reporting”.

He started his career at Fairfax as a cadet in 1985, and had stints as defence and foreign affairs correspondent as well as Indonesia correspondent. He later held roles as news director and also editor of The Sunday Age from 2009 to 2013.

Mr Forbes also worked at the ABC’s current affairs program Four Corners and Seven Network.

The Age has been campaigning against sexual harassment in the workplace, publishing a major investigation on Monday.

Fairfax Media is publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WA Today, Brisbane Times and the The Canberra Times.