Fairfax takes New Yorker online editor Amelia Lester as new editor for Good Weekend
The executive online editor for one of the world’s most prestigious magazine brands The New Yorker is returning to Australia as editor of Fairfax Media’s Good Weekend.
Sydney native Amelia Lester joined The New Yorker as a fact-checker and has also been the magazine’s managing editor, before spending the last year rolling out the publication’s digital strategy.
In a joint statement, Darren Goodsir, the editor-in-chief of The Sydney Morning Herald, and Andrew Holden, the editor-in-chief of The Age, said: “Amelia secured the position after a highly competitive selection process, with the quality and high number of applicants underscoring Good Weekend’s marketplace credentials.
“Amelia demonstrated an impeccable understanding of long-form and feature writing – together with delivering a compelling vision of how to translate a traditional print product into a digital environment.
“This is a thrilling appointment, and Amelia has the skills and the vision to continue Good Weekend’s fine tradition of quality journalism.
“Her pedigree and career success speak for themselves, and we are very excited about her ambitions for the magazine – and the type of stories she will be pursuing.”
Lester replaces Ben Naparstek who departed the Good Weekend for SBS, where he was appointed head of editorial, online and emerging platforms, in July. Greg Callaghan has been the magazine’s acting editor since his departure.
Lester said in a statement: “Independent journalism is more important than ever in Australia. I look forward to continuing Good Weekend’s long tradition of rigorous reporting and enthralling storytelling.”
Miranda Ward
Linkedin
No fewer than 17 fact-checkers review every piece at The New Yorker according to an interview with Amelia Lester. Are there even 17 people putting out entire Sydney Morning Herald these days? Sadly Good Weekend is a shadow of its once great self
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I am sure Amelia Lester is a very good journalist, but give the SMH has not got much right over the past 20 years she will have the job ahead of her.
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Australian’s don’t buy newspapers – the print model that funded journalism. Australians then complain when journalism deteriorates. Do the math. In 20 yrs time Australia will be even more dumb down (if that’s possible)…
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Australians might buy more newspapers if they were produced for readers. Every newspaper which has circulation problems drops staff, drops features readers want and reduces the quality of what is left. But if they changed their style, put in more local content, projected forward instead of looking back they might find lots of readers.
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