Journalism in Australia will not die because Fairfax is walking away from the job
In this cross-posting from The Conversation, Brian McNair argues online outlets such as Guardian Australia and Crikey will benefit from Fairfax Media’s decision to walk away from journalism by cutting editorial positions.
With depressing regularity I return to this column to talk about cuts to precious journalism capacity in Australia, usually at Fairfax. This week it’s the equivalent of 120 editorial positions consigned to the dustbin of journalistic history, on top of the many hundreds, nay thousands, slashed at Fairfax and other news organisations in Australia in the past three years.
Holden left Fairfax several weeks ago
Former Age editor-in-chief Andrew Holden appeared on ABC News Breakfast this morning to say he thought the:
Hogwash. The Guardian can never have the numbers of people Fairfax has had with the talent, resources and time to work over issues. Crikey is even less capable. In case you’ve not noticed The Guardian is shrinking fast, having finally had a wake up call from the bean counters. Crikey is a sweat shop with no real culture.
The huge issue at Fairfax is that its board has no clue and has appointed as CEO a guy who claims much but has very little understanding of the business. For those who don’t know, Hywood spent virtually all of his editorial career in Canberra or overseas. He’s had precious little to do with how the big media operations really work and what’s important. In management he has surrounded himself with flaks, very much like a politician. And lately he had the WalMart dalek, Roger Corbett, barking over his shoulder with the latest “plan” from his favourite consultant.
Hywood’s in clover, cashing in and hoping there’s another cut in Fairfax for him yet.
“[T]hey must acquire and stick to the habit of paying for online journalism in the way we used to pay for newspapers.”
Well, we have our orders. But somehow my mind goes back to Elizabeth: “Must is not a word to be used to princes!” It’s not a word to be used to potential clients, either.
You lost me at “News continues to take its journalism seriously” ahahahahahaha