The Australian Press Council, which adjudicates complaints about Australian media, is under fire for appointing Ms McGrath to the 26-member council last month, given her relationship with the left-wing campaign group.

Ms McGrath serves as deputy chair of GetUp!, which is working to oust Immigration Minister Peter Dutton from his Queensland seat and also throws its money behind certain journalists. A page on the GetUp! website urges members to support "independent investigative journalism" by funding the work of former Fairfax Media journalist Michael West.

She was included on the council in a 14-1 vote announced on May 25.

But a spokesman for Fairfax Media, publisher of the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review, said the company would not change its stance on Ms McGrath's inclusion on the council.

"Fairfax sees the Press Council as a broad church, inclusive of many diverse voices," a spokesman said.

"We voted in favour of Ms McGrath's appointment. We expect anyone involved in adjudicating Press Council matters to perform their duties with professionalism and impartiality.

"The Press Council has indicated that it would not allow anyone with a conflict of interest to adjudicate stories."

Mike Osborne, the editor of Australian Associated Press, said his organisation stood by its affirmative vote, but was willing to work with the council.

"AAP is prepared to talk to the Press Council to discuss the way forward and whether Ms McGrath can be an effective in light of the recent controversies." he said.

Country Press Australia representative Bob Yeates, who was also one of the votes in favour of Ms McGrath's inclusion, said he had "100 per cent confidence in the people sitting around the table" that any conflicts would be handled professionally.

"The way I view the world, I don't think it is an issue," he said of the criticism surrounding the appointment.

However the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance - which had originally voted in favour of Ms McGrath - has since reversed its position.

"From our perspective, we have no problem with Carla McGrath," union chief Paul Murphy said.

"But there is a very large perceived conflict of interest by someone on the Press Council holding an office with GetUp! at the same time.

"We think the two are incompatible."

Mr Murphy said the union would be "talking to the Press Council further down the track" over the issue.

GetUp! has previously been critical of News Corp coverage, particularly during the election, which has led to several editors announcing their newspapers will boycott the Press Council while Ms McGrath is involved.

MPs in the Turnbull government, Labor opposition and Senate crossbench have also questioned the decision.

Ms McGrath has so far declined interviews, while GetUp! has distanced itself from the controversy. A spokesman said Ms McGrath had "taken this position as an individual".

"This is a matter for the Press Council and her," he said.

"She's very experienced in governance so we're not surprised the Press Council wants her but you should direct any questions about it to them as GetUp! has not been involved."

The Press Council has announced Ms McGrath will not adjudicate any complaints until at least 2018 and any member of the adjudication panel with a perceived conflict of interest on any particular issue is stood down from examining complaints.

It is due to hold its next meeting in August.