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Editor of Illawarra Mercury steps down ahead of expected Fairfax restructure announcement

Screen Shot 2015-06-24 at 2.50.03 PMFairfax Media has confirmed Illawarra Mercury editor Alistair Langford-Wilson has stepped down from the role as the media company prepares to reveal details of a restructure.

Langford-Wilson’s exit, and the planned shake-up, follows the announcement by Fairfax in May that it will cut 50 jobs from its southern operations, the majority from the Mercury.

A restructure is expected to be announced tomorrow, according to the ABC.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) said the Wollongong Advertiser, Lake Times and Kiama Independent will also be among 17 titles impacted by the cuts.

News of the job losses led to demonstrations in Wollongong with Fairfax staff, union members, politicians and residents protesting at the move by Fairfax’s regional and rural arm, Australian Community Media.

The journalists’ union also accused Fairfax of breaching its own charter of editorial independence by preventing reporters from covering the rally.

Langford-Wilson was appointed editor of the Mercury in March 2012. Deputy editor Jen White will step into the role while a replacement is recruited.

“We are grateful to Alistair for all he has contributed to our business and wish him well for the future,” said a Fairfax spokesman.

Steve Jones 

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