Fairfax regional cuts 'unlikely'
JOB cuts in regional newspapers owned by Fairfax Media were unlikely in the fallout from the company's announcement of 1900 staff cuts over three years as part of a widespread restructure.
While the job cuts were expected to be restricted to major city newspapers, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said regional journalists should not have to pay for metropolitan papers' misfortune.
Her statement came less than a week after Fairfax announced its intention to fire between 60 and 90 regional sub-editors to outsource the jobs to New Zealand.
"Regional Australians are very much dependent on accurate local news and reliable regional news requires reliable regional news gatherers," Senator Nash said.
"Obviously, journalists based in the regions are best placed to understand what is important in their local area in a news sense."
"Regional newspapers are doing it tough, but not to the same degree as the metro press and they shouldn't have to pay for their misfortune."
Fairfax Media is currently resisting mining magnate Gina Rinehart's share raid, which reached 18.6% on Monday.
Ms Rinehart's bid to get a seat on the company board has been resisted as she has to date refused to sign the company's charter of editorial integrity.
It is understood the Fairfax editorial committees yesterday sent a letter to Ms Rinehart requesting she sign the charter.
Neither the Ms Rinehart's company, Hancock Prospecting, nor the media union responded to requests for information yesterday.
Meanwhile, Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt and Senator Scott Ludlam on Tuesday announced they would push for more regulation for media owners.
The pair told press they would be seeking Coalition and cross-bench support to amend current media ownership laws to ensure controlling shareholders could not interfere with editorial processes.
