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Australian Community Media

From Alfawiki
Australian Community Media
Company typePrivate
IndustryMedia
PredecessorFairfax Regional Media, Rural Press
Founded1911
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
Area served
Australia
Key people
Antony Catalano (co-owner), Alex Waislitz (co-owner)
ProductsRegional newspapers, community websites, agricultural publications
OwnerAntony Catalano and Alex Waislitz (equal ownership)

Australian Community Media (ACM) is a prominent Australian media enterprise overseeing more than 160 regional newspapers. Its collection features well-known titles such as the Canberra Times, Newcastle Herald, The Examiner, The Border Mail, The Courier, and the Illawarra Mercury. In addition, ACM manages upwards of 100 community-focused websites alongside agricultural publications including The Land and Queensland Country Life.

Originally part of Fairfax Media, ACM became integrated into Nine Entertainment following the 2018 merger between Fairfax and Nine. Subsequently, in April 2019, Nine divested ACM to former Domain Group CEO Antony Catalano and billionaire Alex Waislitz, who each acquired equal ownership shares.

In May 2024, ACM encountered controversy when a legal representative associated with the company was implicated in a plagiarism incident involving AI-generated rewritten content lacking appropriate citation.

History

The origins of ACM date back to the establishment of The Land in Sydney in 1911. The company expanded its reach over time by acquiring numerous community newspapers. John Fairfax initially purchased a 25% interest in 1970, which grew to 45% by 1985. Renamed Rural Press in 1981, the company went public on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1989, with Fairfax holding a majority 51% stake.

By the mid-2000s, Rural Press controlled approximately 170 newspaper and magazine titles, including the significant Canberra Times. Its holdings extended across rural Australia as well as agricultural publications in both the United States and New Zealand. The company also operated radio stations throughout regional Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, along with classified advertising websites and printing operations.

In December 2006, Rural Press and John Fairfax announced a $12 billion merger agreement. This arrangement granted Rural Press chairman John B. Fairfax's family company a 13.5% share in the merged organisation, creating a potential blocking stake against hostile takeovers amid shifting media regulations. The merger was finalised in May 2007, with Rural Press titles rebranded under Fairfax Regional Media, which later became Australian Community Media.

Following the merger between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment in December 2018, Nine sold ACM to Antony Catalano and Alex Waislitz in April 2019.

In December 2022, responsibility for managing fourteen newspapers across Queensland and South Australia was transferred to Star News Group. ACM ceased publication of the Blayney Chronicle and Oberon Review in August 2024 and announced intentions to close eight additional titles the following month, attributing these closures to Meta Platforms' decision not to renew a $200 million advertising agreement with local publishers. In February 2025, ACM disclosed plans to merge all its mastheads into one weekly printed edition by 2032.

ACT

Tasmania

Victoria

ACT and Southern Inland NSW
Illawarra and South East NSW
New England
Newcastle and Hunter region
  • Dungog Chronicle
  • Hunter Valley News
  • Lakes Mail (Central Coast)
  • Maitland & Lower Hunter Star
  • Muswellbrook Chronicle
  • Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Star
  • Port Stephens Examiner
  • The Advertiser (Cessnock)
  • Maitland Mercury
  • Scone Advocate
  • Singleton Argus
Central Coast NSW
  • Central Coast Community News (Gosford)
North Coast NSW
  • Camden Haven Courier
  • Express (Port Macquarie)
  • Gloucester Advocate
  • Great Lakes Advocate
  • Guardian News (Nambucca)
  • Habiscus Happynings
  • Macleay Valley Happynings
  • Manning Great Lakes Extra
  • Manning River Times
  • Mid-Coast Observer (Macksville)
  • Port Macquarie News
  • Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun
  • Macleay Argus
  • Wauchope Gazette
  • Byron Shire Echo
  • Wingham Chronicle
South West NSW
  • Cootamundra Herald
  • Eastern Riverina Chronicle
  • Harden Murrumburrah Express
  • Southern Cross (Junee)
  • The Area News (Griffith)
  • The Irrigator (Leeton)
  • The Leader (Wagga Wagga)
  • Southern Riverina News (Finley)
  • Corowa Free Press
  • Deniliquin Pastoral Times
  • The Observer (Darlington Point / Coleambally)
Sydney Suburban
  • Blue Mountains Gazette
  • Fairfield City Champion
  • Hawkesbury Courier
  • Hawkesbury Gazette
  • Liverpool City Champion
  • St George & Sutherland Shire Leader
  • The Advertiser (Campbelltown/Camden-Narellan/Wollondilly)
  • Inner West Times
  • Auburn Review
  • Bankstown-Canterbury Torch

Victoria

In Victoria, ACM is represented through "The Mighty V" alongside the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA):


External links

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