Fairfax editors step down ahead of restructure

25 Jun 2012, 4:42 pm   -   Source: The Conversation
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The Conversation

The Sydney Morning Herald Editor Amanda Wilson and her editor-in-chief Peter Fray announced they will leave Fairfax Media. They were joined by editor of The Age, Paul Ramadge, as the newspapers move to a 'digital-first' business model. 

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By Justin Norrie, The Conversation

The first female editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, Amanda Wilson, will leave Fairfax Media, along with her editor-in-chief Peter Fray, while at The Age, editor Paul Ramadge announced he would also step down ahead of a massive restructure of Australia’s oldest newspaper business.

The midday announcements were intended to show shareholders that the company was serious about a radical change of direction to a 'digital-first' model, a senior Fairfax source said.

At an emotional meeting with staff in Melbourne, Mr Ramadge said “the time feels right for me now to go and to chase things away from the mothership.”

The decision to leave was “in no way a sign that I disagree with the strategy announced last week,” he said. “The strategy is right. Another era is about to begin and I will be among those cheering from the sidelines.”

Echoing his words at a staff meeting in Sydney, Mr Fray declared: “It is for me a good time to go … If there was a time for me to leave the mothership, that time is now.” Mr Fray said he would pursue other opportunities in Australia and Asia.

Ms Wilson said it had been a privilege to lead the newspaper for the past 18 months.

In an email to Sydney staff, Garry Linnell, Editorial Director of Fairfax’s Metro Media, wrote that “we are saying farewell to two champions of our profession, and their decision to leave brings to a close two very distinguished careers with Fairfax. Two key editorial appointments for The Sydney Morning Herald will be announced later today.”

He said he had “an enormous amount of respect and admiration for what Amanda has achieved during her leadership of the Herald. Her first priority has always been the integrity of the masthead – and the welfare of those around her. She has been a fiercely passionate editor who has worn her love for – and dedication to – the Herald on her sleeve every single day of her editorship.”

Sources said Sean Aylmer, the national business editor within Fairfax Media’s metro division, was widely tipped to replace Mr Fray. “It’s a massive mistake letting Fray go. He is only senior editor who has the respect of journos,” one veteran reporter said.

Last week Fairfax announced it would axe 1,900 jobs – many of them editorial positions – shut its major printing plants and erect metered paywalls around its websites in preparation for a future without newspapers.

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