‘Sad day’: Fairfax staff slam Nine ‘take over’
FAIRFAX journalists, TV personalities and staff have reacted angrily after Nine and Fairfax announced its plans for a $4 billion merger that will see the name “Fairfax” disappear. Derryn Hinch described it as a “sad day” and a veteran reporter commented on Karl Stefanovic on The Today Show.
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IN one of the biggest media deals ever seen in Australia, Nine and Fairfax have announced plans for a $4 billion merger that will see the name “Fairfax” disappear from the nation’s media landscape.
Now Fairfax journalists, TV personalities and staff have reacted angrily to the proposed merger, which former staffer turned senator Derryn Hinch described as a “sad day”.
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As an ex Fairfax editor this is a sad day. Young Warwick has much to answer for. Not a merger, a takeover .
— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) July 26, 2018
Fairfax journalist Peter Hannam called it a takeover.
Or by the looks of it: Nine to TAKE OVER Fairfax. Nine's Hugh Marks will be the new chief executive, Peter Costello to chair the company. And Nine shareholders get 51.1%.
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) July 25, 2018
Fairfax investigative journalist Kate McClymont joked about moving into a presenting role on morning TV. She even joked about joining The Today Show with Karl Stefanovic.
So after 150-plus years this is all we get: “I would like to thank everyone for their contribution to Fairfax†https://t.co/GHjXMRTX2f
— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) July 25, 2018
I am in talks to co-host with Karl 😂 https://t.co/L0lZvpye51
— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) July 25, 2018
Others questioned the autonomy of Fairfax journalists under Nine’s banner, including freelancer Neil McMahon.
With a Nine/Fairfax merger, how would Fairfax cover a story where - to pluck a wildly improbable scenario from the sky - 60 Minutes was involved in a child kidnapping in Beirut?
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) July 25, 2018
Others were upset the name Fairfax would disappear under the deal. Columnist Jenna Price summed up the sentiment.
We know it’s a takeover. But the name #Fairfax should be in the name of the company. #savethename https://t.co/UNL6W8upo9
— Jenna Price (@JennaPrice) July 25, 2018
Nine News political editor Chris Uhlmann joked that Nine journalists are already making themselves comfortable.
Lane, Jono and Nifty are already testing the furniture in the AFR’s Canberra office, as news of the Nine-Fairfax merger spreads. #inyourchaircoorey pic.twitter.com/I9gUlAAysX
— Chris Uhlmann (@CUhlmann) July 25, 2018
Fairfax journalist Hannah Francis says the “mood is bleak”.
Watching the media commentators dissect our future. Mood is bleak. #Fairfax #fairfaxnine #savetheage #FairGoFairfax pic.twitter.com/kHfKywImzM
— Hannah Francis (@han_francisco) July 26, 2018
Fairfax music journalist Bernard Zuel joked about Nine’s new TV schedule.
2019 programming unveiled.
— Bernard Zuel (@BernardZuel) July 25, 2018
Hey Hey It's Saturday's Age.
Merged At First Sight
Two And A Half Men And A Token Woman
Kate McClymont - Australian Ninja Warrior
Millionaire Hot Seat In A Maserati
Embarrassing Bodies Of Print Journalists#fairfax
Former Fairfax columnist Mike Carlton took aim at CEO Greg Hywood.
It doesn't look like a merger to me. It's a Nine takeover. After 176 years, Fairfax will be extinct. What a giant achievement for that prick Hywood. https://t.co/Gxhom71dPB
— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01) July 25, 2018
Fairfax journalist Peter Hannam took a photo of his Sydney Morning Herald colleagues watching news of the merger.
.@smh staff listening to Hugh Marx... the proposed CEO if Nine’s takeover of Fairfax. (Nine approached Ffx in early July, outgoing Ffx boss Greg Hywood just said.) pic.twitter.com/q3U42KhuQd
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) July 26, 2018
Fairfax freelance journalist Ben Grubb is worried about print’s editorial independence.
If the Nine board does not sign Fairfax Media’s editorial charter of independence, you can expect Fairfax journalists to be up in arms.
— Ben Grubb 🛠(@bengrubb) July 25, 2018
Fairfax political journalist Bianca Hall was given a shock.
Go on mat leave as a Fairfax employee, come back working for Nine, okaaaayyy
— Bianca Hall (@_Biancah) July 25, 2018
Fairfax political reporter Matthew Knott is in New York and needs a stiff drink.
Emergency takeover negroni to steady the nerves pic.twitter.com/5gLzuMqTsK
— Matthew Knott (@KnottMatthew) July 25, 2018