Fairfax Media’s Sydney Morning Herald editor-in-chief, Darren Goodsir, resigns
Fairfax Media’s Sydney Morning Herald editor-in-chief, Darren Goodsir, has resigned after three-and-a-half years in the position and almost 20 years with the company.
SMH editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir has resigned
Sean Alymer, Fairfax Media’s editorial director, said: “Darren’s an incredibly talented journalist. He’s more than made his mark during his outstanding 32 years in journalism.
“That The Sydney Morning Herald reigns supreme as the nation’s number one masthead across all platforms is a credit to Darren’s outstanding editorial leadership of an incredibly talented team.
“We wish Darren all the very best as he takes some time to enjoy life beyond the media industry.”
When he took on the role in 2013 Goodsir’s appointment was welcomed by the newsroom and removed any doubt about Fairfax’s commitment to digital.
The digital drive will be seen as his main legacy, getting the newsroom to become more focused on the delivery across digital and print only months after the SMH moved to printing a compact edition on weekdays.
Another area where he was seen as influential was in maintaining the masthead’s independence in the face of pressure from then 14% shareholder Gina Rinehart.
The announcement of Goodsir’s resignation has come alongside three new senior appointments, with The Australian Financial Review’s European correspondent James Chessell named Fairfax Media’s national editor responsible for Federal politics, business and world coverage across both the SMH and The Age.
Aylmer said: “Their appointments underline our commitment to producing quality journalism to inform and enrich the communities we serve.
“They are all outstanding journalists, skilled editors and passionate about journalism that packs a punch. Quality, agenda-setting journalism is what The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age are all about and will continue to deliver.
“Together, these editors ensure continued strength of the unique editorial voices of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. They will deliver on the needs of their Sydney and Melbourne local audiences, and work collaboratively to deliver outstanding and unrivalled national coverage.”
Chessell, Davies and Lavelle will report to Aylmer.
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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A significant loss to Fairfax in terms of both outstanding journalism and elegant leadership. One of the finest I’ve worked with.
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Sad to see Darren go. He guided the SMH well through some treacherous waters. That it is the most-read masthead in the country by some degree, across combined digital and print, is testament to that. No other newspaper in Australia is so focused on uncovering corruption in all its forms. Their investigations are unparalleled. Good luck to Lisa and James.
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