Michael Beach to exit WA’s The Sunday Times as cutbacks bite

WA’s Sunday Times editor Michael Beach has fallen victim to Seven West Media’s cost cutting drive.

Michael Beach is set to depart The Sunday Times. Picture: Nic Ellis

Seven West Media has laid off its The Sunday Times editor in Western Australia, as part of the media group’s cost-cutting during the coronavirus crisis, which has hit advertising revenue.

Anthony De Ceglie, Seven’s editor in chief, has told staff that editor Michael Beach's position has been made redundant, “due to the financial impact of COVID-19”, and will leave the business as part of a restructure.

Mr Beach is a Walkley Award-winning journalist and has edited the newspaper with “distinction, integrity and success” since Seven bought The Sunday Times and PerthNow in November 2016, Mr De Ceglie said in a statement.

Mr Beach has been part of Seven in WA for a decade, and over that time his roles have included deputy editor of The West Australian and head of digital content for the group in WA, he said.

The news of Mr Beach’s departure came as Seven said the deal to sell its Pacific Magazines was “being pursued to completion”, noting that the contract was unconditional following the ACCC’s clearance.

The group also ruled out the sale of its West Australian Newspapers business, rejecting claims made in a report in The Australian Financial Review, which it described as “not correct”.

Seven, which is controlled by billionaire Kerry Stokes, last week announced it was looking to tap the federal government’s $130bn JobKeeper payment scheme if eligible amid the coronavirus crisis, as it looks to cut jobs and staff pay by 20 per cent.

The company, which has a $541m debt pile equating to 2.4 times its underlying earnings, has also dumped its annual earnings guidance, along with other media groups, including Nine Entertainment, Prime Media and oOh!media.

Seven WA chief executive Maryna Fewster said Mr Beach had “played a pivotal role in both The Sunday Times and The West Australian.”

“He has shown strength and flair in every role he has undertaken for SWM and can be proud of his time – in particular as the head of The Sunday Times.”

Mr Beach, a former editor of The Saturday Daily Telegraph and New York bureau chief for News Corp, said he was proud of the important role The Sunday Times has played in WA during his time in charge.

“It is a vital voice in WA that will continue to thrive,” he said.

“I appreciate the opportunities I have been given at SWM, particularly being charged to lead The Sunday Times.

“I have worked with a very talented team of journalists who have broken many exclusives that have set the agenda in WA and Australia.”