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ACM suspends non-daily titles, closes four press facilities

Australian Community Media (ACM) has ceased print operations at four of its press facilities as it suspends a number of non-daily newspapers. All employees at the sites and on the titles have been stood down until the end of June.

The 14 daily titles, including The Canberra Times and Newcastle Herald, are unaffected, as are a number of agricultural publications, including The Land.

The closure was first reported by The Canberra Times, with ACM journalists saying they don’t yet know which titles will be closing.

Staff were informed about the decision today by email, with CEO Antony Catalano blaming the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19.

The four print sites impacted by the change are Canberra, Murray Bridge, Wodonga and Tamworth. They will be closed from Monday, April 20. Other ACM employees have been asked to reduce their hours.

More than 30 leases of small offices around the country have also been exited by ACM. ACM currently publishes more than 170 publications.

ACM isn’t the first publisher to close titles. News Corp Australia suspended its community news titles earlier in the month and Nine has ceased printing several of its magazines and lift-outs. The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) has called for more support from the government for regional papers. $5m in help has been pledged as part of an existing fund.

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