Journalists warn of culture differences and conflicts in reaction to Nine Fairfax merger
Journalists and media figures have had a mixed reaction to the Nine and Fairfax merger with former reporters who’ve worked with both companies warning there is a big culture difference between the two organisations.
Former Fairfax journalist Katherine Murphy reflected much of the print company’s mood around the announcement, tweeting she wanted to cry on hearing the news the merged company will be called Nine.
"The merged company will be called Nine". I've spent most of my working life at Fairfax. I want to cry.
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) July 25, 2018
Fairfax columnist John Birmingham and Guardian Australia senior writer Brigid Delaney, both of whom have worked at both organisations, flagged the cultural differences between the companies with Delaney warning Fairfax staffers should “hold onto their hats”.
https://twitter.com/JohnBirmingham/status/1022258742958546944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1022258742958546944&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fmedia%2Flive%2F2018%2Fjul%2F26%2Ffairfax-to-lose-name-and-control-in-4bn-takeover-by-nine-network-live
I've worked for both Nine and Fairfax. Hang onto your hats Fairfax people – you're in for a wild ride and very different culture
— Brigid Delaney (@BrigidWD) July 26, 2018
Media academic and Fairfax columnist Jenna Price had a fiery response to critics pointing out the company’s failing, saying “the next person who tweets or Facebooks me to say Fairfax brought it on itself will be consigned to a fiery hell.”
Guardian economics correspondent Greg Jericho was sceptical about Greg Hywood’s claim that Fairfax’s DNA would live on in the merged organisation.
https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/1022260821357785088
Finally, Crikey founder and media commentator Stephen Mayne pointed out the potential conflict for such a powerful media organisation to be chaired by former Liberal Party Treasurer, Peter Costello.
Optics are not great in having a Liberal PM endorsing so strongly a big media merger that will see the new super powerful company chaired by one of his fellow Liberal flag carriers in Peter Costello: https://t.co/eKwTAm0Vpa
— Stephen Mayne (@MayneReport) July 26, 2018
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Miss Price’s claims notwithstanding, no one has said: “Fairfax BOUGHT it on itself” – other than Miss Price herself, of course.
But quite a few have justly observed that Fairfax has brought its end upon itself.
The perennial question has been “How much longer can Fairfax stagger on?” Now that we have an answer, the post-mortem can begin.
Not our fault?
You could have fooled me. Fairfax journos have written against and undermined the values and the beliefs of their readers for decades; blissfully ignorant that they drove away hundreds of thousands of the very people who funded their salaries.
The inmates of the left ran the asylum and they are now paying the price – if they have not already done so.
Jenna Price’s response? Still in denial.
Hi Pairdell,
Apologies. It appears it was was actually us who made that embarrassing typo, not Jenna herself. I have amended it in our copy.
Thanks,
Vivienne – Mumbrella