Major computer malfunction wipes out Fairfax’s morning NZ papers
Fairfax Media’s New Zealand newspapers have suffered a major computer problem which left the company unable to publish most of its papers this morning and its afternoon papers struggling to get editions out.
The only one if its morning papers published today was the Taranaki Daily News. Fairfax’s key New Zealand metro titles are The Christchurch Press, The Dominion Post and the Waikato Times, none of which hit the street.
This afternoon, the company is attempting to publish reduced 12 page broadsheet editions of The Nelson Mail, Manawatu Standard, Waikato Times and Marlborough Express.
According to a statement from Fairfax:
Fairfax Media’s four afternoon papers are likely to be published today despite a major computer fault that has affected the company’s operations.
The Nelson Mail, Manawatu Standard, Waikato Times and Marlborough Express are each producing 12-page broadsheet newspapers covering key local, national and international news and some advertising.
The computer fault occurred yesterday afternoon and affected the company’s editorial and advertising production system.
The afternoon papers used a different production system to produce today’s editions.
Fairfax’s five morning papers were badly affected by the fault with only the Taranaki Daily News, managing to publish a paper.
Fairfax Media New Zealand CEO Allen Williams said the company apologised to readers and advertisers who did not receive their paper this morning and said staff were doing all they could to fix the fault.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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When they say ‘a major computer problem’ stopped them from printing their newspapers, were they referring to The Internet?
Because as far as I can see, that problem isn’t going to go away for them. People will continue reading their news online no matter how many free subscriptions (like my last 6 month one) they give away for free.
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Did any one notice?
Does anyone still read “the paper”?
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whats paper?
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Damn, how will they start their wood fires. What about the fish and chip shops?
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Your new media booster commenters are as tired as ever, Tim.
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Of course the paper version likely pays for the online version, like it does everywhere else.
Take away the paper version and the unique content will fall away to almost nothing.
Something the new media boosters struggle to understand.
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“Take away the paper version and the unique content will fall away to almost nothing.”
Fairfax share price at 10:39AM AEST – 0.865
They won’t recover from this. Fairfax have many more problems than a mere “computer glitch.”
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