World of the News! Australia’s Fairfax Media Sends Jobs Offshore

That shrinking Australian media behemoth that is Fairfax Media, is apparently planning to send jobs offshore by relocating production of its regional newspapers to New Zealand.

The proposed changes will affect 66 Fairfax staffers, Media, Ethics & Arts Alliance – MEAA – said via statement today.

Fairfax said the affected staff would be offered voluntary redundancies or redeployment, however, some staff may also be forced into redundancy.

The affected newspapers include the Illawarra Mercury, Newcastle Herald and seven associated community titles including the Lake Times, Kiama Independent, Newcastle Star, Myall Coast Nota, Port Stephens Examiner and Lakes Mail.

Workers were told about the plans this afternoon and Fairfax has announced the move on the papers’ websites.

Fairfax says the changes are part of a “wider company strategy to pursue operational efficiencies while strengthening the focus on audience growth and producing quality content”.

Fairfax says no reporting or photographic positions would be affected :: Read the full article »»»»