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Fairfax Media forced to cancel SMH Live: 100 Days of Trump due to strike

Fairfax Media has been forced to cancel its SMH Live: 100 Days of Trump ticketed event due to strike action by its journalists following the company’s job cuts announcement.

The event, which was $20 a ticket and was sold out according to the web page which is no longer live, was due to run tonight at the Art Gallery of NSW from 6-8pm.

The panel features Herald editor Lisa Davies, political and international editor Peter Hartcher, founding director and CEO of China Matters Linda Jakobson and senior writer and former US correspondent Nick O’Malley.

Mumbrella understands attendees were notified today that the event was cancelled.

A Fairfax Media spokesperson said: “We took a decision that given the current industrial situation there would be a better time to hold this event. We notified ticket holders and provided a full refund. We’ll schedule a new event in the near future as part of our ongoing subscriber series.”

Sydney Morning Herald and The Age journalists went on strike yesterday for seven days in response to an announcement that 125 full-time jobs is facing the chopping block.

The strike will also impact on Fairfax Media’s coverage of the Federal Government Budget release next Tuesday evening.

Mumbrella understands this was the intent of the strike, with Fairfax journalists keen to remind the public of the value of its journalism and the value of its political coverage.

Fairfax Media management have condemned the strike as “unlawful industrial action”.

The cancellation of the 100 Days of Trump event comes as Sean Alymer, editorial director, and Chris Janz, Australian Metro Publishing managing director, contact staff to reject rumours suggesting the company has “locked out” some employees.

“This is not true,” an email to staff reads.

“The situation is that some journalists have taken unlawful industrial action. We expect all employees to fulfil their employment obligations.

“Employees can decide to resume their usual duties (and can contact their editor to work from home).

“The planned VR program for continuing employees will not commence today as expected.”

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