A stalwart former Eastern Daily Press journalist has spoken of his “sadness” at the departure of the paper’s former editor, Peter Waters.
Parent company Archant announced on Wednesday that Peter was leaving the business after three years at the helm as part of a major editorial restructure that saw Nigel Pickover taking over in the EDP chair.
But the move has dismayed veteran former EDP journalist Chris Fisher, left, who stepped down as the paper’s political editor in March after 32 years in the role and 44 years on the title.
He said that Peter had stood up for the paper’s “traditional values” since taking over from Peter Franzen in 2009 and questioned whether anyone else at the company would do likewise.
Chris told HTFP: “Peter was a champion of traditional EDP values and I am wondering who is left to defend them.
“As someone who spent 40 years on the EDP I am full of sadness about all of this.”
One company insider has suggested that Peter had been under pressure to make further editorial cutbacks of around £700,000 out of a total budget of around £5m.
Archant has declined to comment on the claims.
Announcing the restructure on Wednesday, Archant Anglia managing director Johnny Hustler said: “It is sad that Peter Waters is leaving us and we are thankful for the important work that he has done.”
Peter was replaced by long-serving Ipswich Star editor Nigel, who became editor-in-chief of both the EDP and its stablemate the Norwich Evening News.
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Having worked closely with Peter for 18 months, I strongly agree with Chris’ fears.
During my time Peter much pressure from above to cut budgets on the paper that would impact the quality of the paper hugely.
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Pete is a thoroughly decent man and a good editor who cared about and understood his community. There are problems with the paper but few would doubt he was the man to iron them out.
I’ll reserve judgement on the new regime but letting a man of his calibre and integrity go can’t be anything other than a huge loss.
He was determined to put quality first and maintain the EDP’s reputation for high standards – perhaps his undoing?
Good luck Pete, whatever you do next.
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Quite agree, it is a sad move. Also a shame that the self-professed “country’s biggest-selling morning regional” doesn’t even merit its own editor any more. There is far too much concentration on cost-cutting ahead of quality and this is self-defeating in the long run.
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