If you're Fairfax Media, the answer would be simple: can the editor-in-chief of one of your biggest papers! That's right, just a day after Fairfax announced 550 jobs would be slashed across the board (the news, as other papers quaked in their boots regarding the apparent downturn in publishing the cuts reflected, reached as far as the UK), The Age's editor-in-chief Andrew Jaspan - who'd been in the role since July of 2004 - was shown the door. Here's the official word, and more over the jump.

Don Churchill, Fairfax's chief executive for Victoria, broke the news to staff at a meeting this morning.

 

In a note, Mr Churchill said the company had "decided that for this next critical stage of The Age we would have fresh editorial and executive leadership".

Paul Ramadge, Jaspan's senior deputy, moves into the role for the time being. Jaspan's response was quick, though the brevity of his email to his staff either suggests he saw it coming, or is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (the email quickly did the rounds this morning):

From: "Andrew Jaspan"
Date: 27 August 2008 11:48:34 AM
To: Age Editorial
Subject: That's All Folks!

I will come and bid my adieu on the floor at 12noon.
andrew

Andrew Jaspan
Editor-in-Chief
The Age and The Sunday Age

Wonder if Jaspan will be escorted from Spencer Street by two security guards, as the old "this is what happen when you quit" wives' tale goes - except, oh snap, he didn't quit!

It's action stations at Fairfax at present. The Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) has been battling with the publisher for the past few months over a number of issues including their freelance agreements (a "joke", according to Crikey, and anyone who freelances for Fairfax) and pay conditions for staffers, and have naturally reacted strongly to news of the cuts. No doubt the staff will react next, so we'll continue to watch this space.

Tags: au | crikey | fairfax | industry | job cuts | out they go | the age | unions