Top Australian newspaper editors resign

The group will shed about 1900 jobs, shut two big printing plants, reduce its key Sydney and Melbourne newspapers. Photo / Thinkstock

The editors-in-chief of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have resigned, media reports say.

Fairfax reports that The Age's Paul Ramadge had announced to staff he is standing down as editor in chief and will be leaving the company.

Mr Ramadge told staff he will be leaving Fairfax.

"I'm leaving an organisation that has been my passion, my every day and really a place of learning for 16 years," he told the Age Online.

"But also have some growing excitement about how I may be able to use my skills elsewhere."

Peter Fray, the editor-in-chief of the Sydney Morning Herald, is also stepping down, along with the Herald's editor Amanda Wilson, senior Sydney Morning Herald reporter Sean Nicholls said on Twitter.

The upheaval comes only days after Fairfax Media announced 1900 job cuts across the flagship newspapers.

The Sydney Morning Herald online later reported the Mr Fray and Ms Wilson had announced they were leaving the company.

In a statement to the SMH online, Fairfax Metro Media Editorial Director Garry Linnell said two distinguished Fairfax careers were ending with their decision to leave.

"We are saying farewell to two champions of our profession," he said.

Two new appointments were expected to be announced later on Monday, Mr Linnell said.

The Age was also expected to announce new appointments.

The website said Ms Wilson announced her departure in an emotional address to the newsroom, saying a major newsroom review was about to take place and it was time for her to pursue new challenges.

Mr Fray told colleagues he did not have a new job to go to but saw his resignation as an exciting opportunity.

- AAP