19 May 2006

More on who'll edit the CT - Ari calls it for Mark Baker

| johnboy
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The following snippet out of today’s Crikey

Considerable unrest at Canberra Times as still no word of new editor, despite Rural Press having insisted an announcement would be made by end of April.I am told none other than John B Fairfax has joined the selection panel. Jack Waterford, former editor in chief and now editor at large, has apparently been given veto power which he exercised on the candidacy of Tom Burton, ex-SMH.

UPDATE: Ari’s posted a comment saying one Mark Baker has the job. What do we know about him? (google suggests someone of that name has worked for The Age and the Jewish News)

Further update: I ask, and I receive, the following has been circulated to CT staff:

To: All Staff
CC: Department heads
From: General Manager
Date: Friday, May 19.
Subject: APPOINTMENT OF NEW EDITOR

I am pleased to advise that Mark Baker, currently Diplomatic Affairs Editor of The Age, has been appointed Editor of The Canberra Times.

Mark’s career started with The Age in 1977. He has spent a total of more than 12 years working as a foreign correspondent in the Asia-Pacific region, most recently as Fairfax’s Asian editor based in Singapore from 2000 to 2004. Since returning to Australia he has been Opinion Page editor and, from March this year, Diplomatic Affairs editor.

Mark was Deputy Editor for two years prior to taking the Singapore appointment. He was Political Editor, based in Canberra, in 1994-95, and has regularly visited the city in his other roles.

In 1986 he was highly commended in the Walkley awards and in 2005 won a Quills award for best three headlines.

We believe that Mark is a person of great experience who will suit the Canberra environment and who understands the needs of the newspaper. He is looking forward to working with you all to build the reputation and circulation of The Canberra Times.

Mark will take up his post in Canberra as soon as termination arrangements can be cleared with The Age. We will arrange for him to fly to Canberra for a day at the earliest possible opportunity to meet staff. He has a wife and son who will move with him to Canberra as soon as their personal commitments allow.

The appointment has been made after an exhaustive process, involving a lot of quality applicants. These included internal applicants whose input and desire to contribute is much appreciated.

That process has meant that all editorial staff – particularly those at senior level who have carried the extra load – have been under additional pressure. This is much appreciated.

The commitment of Deputy Editor Stuart Howie in difficult circumstances is of special note.

All staff will be advised as soon as possible of Mark’s starting date.

LLOYD WHISH-WILSON

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Crikey has been overtaken by events.

The current diplomatic affairs editor at The Age, Mark Baker, has been appointed to the position.

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