Fairfax Media’s Sean Aylmer: $30m restructure a necessary part of evolving newsrooms
Fairfax Media editorial director Sean Aylmer has moved to reassure readers of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that it remains committed to “keeping our newsrooms great” in today’s edition of the two newspapers.
Sean Aylmer: Fairfax Media will invest more than $100m in keeping our newsrooms great
Aylmer’s comments come as Sydney Morning Herald and The Age journalists strike for seven days in protest of a proposal that will see 125 jobs axed.
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.
Appearing on page two of the newspapers, Aylmer wrote: “The proliferation of digital media means our readers are now spoilt for choice. More than ever our journalism needs to be relevant, responsive and accessible in print and in digital forms.
“Over the next financial year, Fairfax Media will invest more than $100m in keeping our newsrooms great.
“We will continue to have a large team of journalists, among the biggest in the country.
“We will continue to break news, set the agenda, provide thoughtful and insightful commentary and analysis and hold politicians, business and community leaders to account.”
Aylmer did comment on the strike albeit briefly.
“In recent days, some staff have taken industry action over changes to the newsroom. The changes are a necessary part of evolving our newsrooms to ensure we are to give readers what they want for decades to come. As a result of the industrial action, some regular features do not appear in today’s paper.”
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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