Australian Community Media (ACM) executive chairman Antony Catalano told staff via email last week that from Monday 20-04-20 the company would 'Suspend' printing operations in Canberra, Murray Bridge, Wodonga and Tamworth until the end of June.

Mr Catalano also said last week that some community titles would offer limited coverage online, and that the company's 14 daily papers — including the Canberra Times — would continue to be published.

PortMac.News understands some non-daily ACM newspapers will cease publication in print and offer limited online news for the foreseeable future.

Given the empty carpark & the lack of information to the contrary we must assume that 'The 'Port Macquarie News' & 'Express', both published by ACM, are gone for now, whether or not they ever return is unknown.

PortMac.News has reached out to 'The Port Macauarie New's' editor for confirmation but has as wet not received a reply.

'Shocked' staff 'left in limbo'

The decision will result in some staff across the ACM business group being stood down.

A journalist from one of the affected non-daily papers, who did not want to be named, said her colleagues were "incredibly shocked" by the news.

The journalist said the news was "read from a script" by a company executive via a teleconference.

She said staff have not been made redundant, but have the option to use annual leave or seek government support.

"We've been left in limbo that's the problem," the journalist said.

"We're not out of a job, but we are."