Fortune's shake-up in international coverage

Keith Kelly of The New York Post writes Wednesday about the departure of Robert Friedman, Fortune‘s international editor, and what it means for the magazine.

Kelly wrote, managing editor Andy “Serwer insisted the move doesn’t mean less international coverage. Europe Editor Peter Gumbel will remain in Paris, and Asia Editor Clay Chandler will continue to be based in Beijing.

“‘We’ll have the same amount, if not more, international content in our North American edition,’ said Serwer. ‘In terms of unique editorial coverage in Europe and Asia, there will be less.’

“He also confided that a bunch of overseas freelancers that the international editions used will be cut loose, but that move doesn’t involve a headcount reduction since most of the freelancers were paid only for stories to which they contributed. Still, up to two dozen writers in far off lands will no longer be able to say they are affiliated with Fortune.

“Many observers think this is going to be a particularly tumultuous year in the financial press arena.”

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