Life after redundancy: what happens next for journalists when they leave newsrooms
In this cross posting from The Conversation, senior journalism academics reveal what all the recent editorial job cuts mean for the long-term viability of mainstream news media in Australia and what those affected will do next.
The planned 125 editorial job redundancies at Fairfax Media is a huge blow to those working within some of Australia’s most established newsrooms, to their readers, and to the capacity of established media to operate as a site of public engagement. 
The proposed cuts prompted a seven-day strike by staff at the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the Australian Financial Review, which between them face a reduction of 25% of all editorial staff. The announcement of these redundancies is just the latest in a protracted series of job cuts in Australian newsrooms since 2012.
But what comes next for those who will be leaving?
Our New Beats research team has been following the experiences of 225 news workers whose positions were made redundant between 2012 and 2014 to see how their post-redundancy careers evolved. Findings from our annual surveys of this group point to some common concerns – including how redundancy affects health, income, and the gaining of new skills.
Interesting, but could all those academics also advise their theories as to why universities continue to turn out thousands of graduates each year?
A redundancy from Fairfax in a previous round (in the noughties, from a sub-editing role) was followed by a few years of casual shifts at various publishers, plus freelancing for whoever would take contributions, before landing a writing/PR role at a not-for-profit. One thing I would underline for any present Fairfax employee, should the worst outcome eventuate, is that the skills they have mastered in the interim, either gathering news or crafting the language in which it is delivered, are qualities that no educational course or institution can replicate. You have skills and abilities that are greatly under-valued (especially by the paperweights that pass for management at Fairfax).
Agree Steve….I recall an obituary for crusty old journo Dixon “Dick” Falconer who was cadet counsellor for many years at Queensland Newspapers. So many said they learnt more in two days under Dick than they did in two years studying journalism at university. You can’t teach experience …
I see Matthew Ricketson has added his name to screed. That would be the same Matthew Ricketson who played Robin to Ray Finkelstein’s Batman in the Gillard crew’s Media Inquiry. Their report urged that recalcitrant editors — take that to mean those who refuse to bow before speech-regulators’ edicts — should be subject to the same penalties imposed on those in contempt of court. In other words, locked up and kept there until they change their ways.
This man teaches journalism.
Right there, one reason why the news business is as stuffed as it is morally and ethically bankrupt.
Exactly. I laughed at the thought of journalists leaving to lecture at universities so hundreds more graduates can follow down the same dead-end path.
It’s wrong for universities to hand out so many journalism degrees when there simply isn’t the demand in the workforce.
I have been through 3 redundancies in my life – all forced. They were all very difficult, especially in the inevitable phase in between being told to finding a new direction/securing a new job. In the end my Fairfax redundancy was a massive blessing in disguise – I found a new role before I left, was head -hunted 3 months later (didn’t accept) and then followed my nose to a new industry which I love.
Where is the survey results????
Given your brush with fame in the last week, Mr Franklin, I’d be most careful accusing others of being morally and ethically bankrupt. Your call for a terrorist bombing of the panel of an ABC program (and its audience) was the most vile thing I have ever read.
On a happier note, I too left Fairfax after nearly three decades. Changed professions, and am now having the time of my life. Albeit on a very diminished pay packet. But hey …