The "AGE" Journos on Strike

[SweetLeftFoot]

Does anyone, ever, read editorials?

I read the Age every day at work, I have never bothered with the editorials.

This is an excellent point, one made even more perplexing given that 'leader writer' is usually one of the most prestigious and highly paid jobs in an organisation.

 

[blackshadow]

Well said blackshadow.

And my understanding is that this strike is not a direct reaction to the recent job cuts, but an action that was in the pipeline for a while regarding the latest round of negotiations on their EBA.

That's my understanding as well - the EBA negotiations have been dragging on for months.

As well as Andrew Jaspin getting the chop another casualty from this Fairfax stoush is Mike Carlton being sacked as a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald for refusing to deliver his column while the industrial dispute is on.

 

[blackshadow]

For a bit of understanding from the journalists' perspective you might like to take a look at http://www.fairgofairfax.org.au/

Some of you might even sign the electronic petition.

 

[blackshadow]

In addition to the casualties listed above I believe that since the sackings were announced and the EBA dispute has escalated Fairfax has withdrawn their sponsorship for the Walkley Awards - the awards dedicated to excellence in Australian journalism.

I think this sends a pretty clear message that right now Fairfax management doesn't give a flying fundamental about journalism. Every other major media outlet in Australia puts up sponsorship for these awards as can be seen at http://www.walkleys.com/sponsors.html

 

[scottywiper]

I know someone who turned down a job in sport at The Age only a couple of months ago. He's pretty glad he did.
Very disappointing developments.
All they seem to care about is the people who own shares, not the people who actually produce the paper.

 

[SweetLeftFoot]

As well as Andrew Jaspin getting the chop another casualty from this Fairfax stoush is Mike Carlton being sacked as a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald for refusing to deliver his column while the industrial dispute is on.

Yeah, Jazza had a fairly testy relationship with his staff, especially over some of the campaigns, most notably Earth Day, but my understanding is that the newsrooms did respect his willingness to stand up for journalism against the cuts.

Also, Jazza did start up the investigation unit which has had some successes and certainly added a new element to the paper.

And while the evil witch's actions last year must not be forgotten. let's not forget how much Rohan Connolly has gone into bat for us, both back then, and since.

Caro's lost a hell of a lot of credibility over her efforts with us, both with the public at large and inside the meejya bubble.

I wouldn't be totally surprised if in the kind of reshuffle that tends to follow events like these - editor leaves, 550 staff sacked, rest strike - she decided with suitable encouragement to pursue other channels for her UNDOUBTED SCOOP GATHERING SKILLS!

 

[Wednesday]

Yay!

In a city with three newspapers - two of them owned by the one guy - the only one independent from News Corp is currently undertaking job cuts and facing strikes. Hooray for democracy!



Fairfax profits are up almost 50% from last financial year. So if the reporters and editorial staff are to blame, I'd like to hear why.

Fairfax have bought other assets in the past year such as Southern Cross Radio, Southern Star productions etc. The Age is only part of Fairfax.

 

[Wednesday]

I'm not some apologist for The Age (even though I am a paid contributor at time) but how about you put a few facts into your argument! The Age circulation figures are at their best since 1997.

The Age was among newspapers bucking the overall trend. Its circulation increased across the week — by 0.5% Monday to Friday to 208,000, by 0.2% on Saturdays to 301,500 and by 1.1% on Sundays to 227,500.
The Monday to Friday circulation figure is the highest The Age has recorded since 1997, while the 227,500 figure registered for The Sunday Age is the highest since it began in 1989, according to the newspaper's owner, Fairfax Media.
​

Excerpt from http://business.theage.com.au/busin...-as-paper-readership-rises-20080814-3vqs.html which was published this month.

The changes are being driven at a corporate level with little regard to editorial content or journalistic quality.

It will lessen the editorial integrity of the paper and further continue the downward spiral that has been occurring regarding quality journalism across the board.

Overall, a sad day for quality journalism and in turn for Melbourne and Australia as a whole.

Someone else's opinion.

Industry insiders tell VEXNEWS that The Age’s real Monday to Friday circulation is no more than 130,000 copies.
​

http://www.vexnews.com/news/406/inflated-the-ages-long-circulation-con-continues

 

[fairdinkum]

Fairfax have bought other assets in the past year such as Southern Cross Radio, Southern Star productions etc. The Age is only part of Fairfax.

And the job cuts that we are seeing are taking place across Fairfax, not just at The Age.

 

[fairdinkum]

Here's what we have to look forward to it Fairfax continues down this road.

Click here.

Notice the quality of the work, particularly in the first paragraph.

 

[Masten2McKinley]

It's over 500 jobs lost mate get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HIAG are you an Age Journo ?

 

[RoyalBlue]

I am assured the Western Angler editorial http://www.westernangler.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=312
is considered a must read in WA angling circles!

Stirring.

 

[blackshadow]

Here's what we have to look forward to it Fairfax continues down this road.

Click here.

Notice the quality of the work, particularly in the first paragraph.

Well spotted! Ha!