Eric Beecher (born c. 1951) is an Australian journalist, editor, and media proprietor. He is chair of Solstice Media and Private Media, publisher of Crikey.

Early life

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Eric Beecher was born around 1951.[1]

Career

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Beecher began working as a journalist on The Age in Melbourne, later moving to London to work on The Sunday Times and The Observer. He subsequently worked on The Washington Post in the US.[1]

He became the youngest-ever editor of the Sydney Morning Herald in 1984, aged 33. He remained in this position until 1987,[1] when he became editor-in-chief of The Herald and Weekly Times group. for three years.[1][2]

In 1990, Beecher founded Text Publishing, becoming CEO and major shareholder of the company.[1] He sold Text to Fairfax Media in 2003 for A$64.6 million.[3]

He purchased Crikey in 2005 for $1 million from its founder Stephen Mayne, a former Liberal staffer.[4][5]

Beecher is founding chair and shareholder in Australian Independent Business Media, publisher of the online magazines Business Spectator[6] (later sold to News Limited[7]) and Eureka Report.[8][1]

As of 2024 Beecher is chair of Solstice Media, which publishes InDaily and the superannuation-funded general news site, The New Daily, and Private Media, publisher of Crikey, The Mandarin, and other websites.[1][9][10]

Other activities

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From 2008 until 2017, Beecher was chair of The Wheeler Centre.[1]

He delivered the annual Andrew Olle Media Lecture in 2008.[1]

Awards

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In 2007, he received a Walkley Award for journalistic leadership.[11][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Eric Beecher". Public Interest Journalism Initiative. Retrieved 15 June 2024. In 1984, at age 33, he became the youngest-ever editor of the Sydney Morning Herald...
  2. ^ "Eric Beecher". Melbourne Writers Festival. Retrieved 23 December 2011.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Fairfax makes friendly bid for Text Media". The Age. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Eric Beecher". friendlyjordies. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Crikey Sold To Beecher For $1 Million". AustralianPolitics.com. 2 February 2005. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  6. ^ Jackson, Sally (24 August 2009). "Fairfax accuses website of plagiarism". The Australian. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  7. ^ Heffernan, Madeleine (21 June 2012). "News buys Business Spectator owner for $30m". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 20 November 2013.
  8. ^ "About Eureka". Eureka Report. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  9. ^ "About". The New Daily. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  10. ^ Heffernan, Madeleine (20 March 2014). "No crisis at Crikey, says Private Media chief". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Past Winners - Eric Beecher". The Walkley Foundation. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.