Interesting to see what happens with online-only outlets like the Brisbane Times - whether that is operationally folded into Nine completely, maintain separate brands but merged into Nine’s newsgathering operation, or kept completely separate.
In Newcastle the voices would be Nine/Fairfax, Prime, WIN, SCA, and Caralis. That exceeds the four required voices. Nine could merge with SCA and there would still be the required four.
True, especially given Nine Entertainment chairman is former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello who still has links with the Liberal Party. Journalists at the Fairfax papers should be worried that they will be forced to change their tone in their reports concerning federal politics and reduce criticism of the Federal Government.
I despair at what this means for all the small country newspapers. I hope it’s a vote of confidence in them and the start of a turnaround where instead of walking towards a slow and painful death, they can come back to life. Attract and retain the best staff. And more effectively be a voice for their communities.
Be interesting to see whether Nine can leverage Fairfax’s excellent Federal and State reporters into their news content.
So maybe Peter Hartcher can replace Miranda Devine on Today Show’s “What’s Making News?” etc. Would Kate McClymont work as a 60 Minutes reporter utilising her amazing contacts?
I still think Nine could be considering a News/Talk channel to replace 9Gem. This now could work.
What does this mean for the Australian News Channel (wholly owned by rival News Corp) and Nine’s new Your Money channel?
And while we’re on it, off topic but I’m hearing rumours Ten is rebranding ONE soon too.
