Running Canadian journalism cuts thread

Some of my former colleagues won't have jobs by the end of the day.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hjITck43CxsMcQfM18uN4p83OXzQ

Sun papers publisher to cut 10 per cent of staff, 600 jobs across Canada

1 hour ago

TORONTO — Canada's biggest newspaper publisher, Sun Media, is cutting 600 jobs in Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec as it restructures in the face of harsh economic conditions.

The chain, owned by Montreal-based media giant Quebecor Inc. (TSX:QBR.B), said Tuesday the cuts will trim about 10 per cent of its workforce and most will fall by the end of the year.

"The news industry is being revolutionized and we have to adapt if we want to remain an industry leader," CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau said in a release.

"We need to build a presence and build our brand in the digital universe and we need to do it as quickly as possible. We have to let customers get the information they want on the platform of their choice."

Peladeau said the economic environment is deteriorating quickly, which forced the publisher to make "difficult decisions" at this time of year. The move is expected to result in restructuring costs of about $14 million.

The company declined to specify how the layoffs would be divided amongst the papers, which include Sun-branded newspapers across the country and other local papers. Mail room operations, for which staff count fluctuates based on volume, will not be directly affected by the cuts.

Quebecor said the cuts are a needed response to a major shift in the print media industry, including the growing popularity of the Internet. The economic slowdown, rising costs and falling advertising revenues were also major factors behind the cuts.

Despite the layoffs, Peladeau said investments will continue to be made into the business.

"We have a responsibility to offer Canadians the type of news coverage they are entitled to expect from the country's largest newspaper publisher, which is to say high-quality journalism focused on local news and exclusive features that meets changing consumer needs and habits," he said.

"We need to build a presence and build our brand in the digital universe and we need to do it as quickly as possible. We have to let customers get the information they want on the platform of their choice."

Last month, Peladeau stepped into the lead position of Sun Media Corp. and the Canoe online operation following what the company called a "disappointing" third quarter.

Quebecor reported that its newspaper operating income fell 13.3 per cent to $52.1 million.

The Sun Media layoffs come as Detroit's two newspapers - the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News - announced plans to cut nine per cent of their staff and reduce the number of days of home delivery.

Sun Media publishes 43 paid-circulation and free dailies under the Sun, Osprey Media and 24 Hours banners and more than 200 community newspapers, shopping guides and other speciality publications.

It is also involved in the operation of SUN TV, a general-interest television station in Toronto.

Parent company Quebecor's shares fell 16 cents, just over one per cent, to $14.69 in morning trading at the Toronto stock market.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

Already heard about a couple of layoffs in Ontario. I have to go into work at 2pm. Who knows what I'll be walking into.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

Well, to any of the Canucks here who work for Sun, good luck to you.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/64866/

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

600 people are losing their jobs And java joe is worried about having to read the same thread title twice.

fuck.

good luck, pappy.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

On the other thread, CP wrote:

A couple months ago--maybe late September or early October--Sun Media posted a job for a web content writer. Based in Toronto, the writer would be in charge of writing stories and posting them onto the various Sun Media papers' sites.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

Calgary is down eight, including one of my favourite people, lead sports columnist Eric Francis, and photographer Jack Cusano. Jack has taken some tremendous shots and the Sun will be lesser without him.

They've also lost two from the rim and the entire supplement section.

My heart aches.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

That's a bitch. Out east, we had an editor and two other senior people gassed two weeks ago...

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

JJ said three sports deskers in Toronto. I think he said 25 all told at that office.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

The counts are being tracked here: http://torontosunfamily.blogspot.com/

The closing two graphs in the first post says it all.

You can blame the job cuts more on a lack of focus, an abandonment on the successful tabloid formula that set the Toronto Sun apart from the broadsheets and minimalist management than the economic downturn.

It is a sad, sad day for Sun Media.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

Horrible news. Can't believe Calgary would ditch arguably their best sports columnist.

Flash, the blog you linked at says 22 in Calgary, not eight.

Damn, I'm glad I didn't get a job in that city last year.

 

Re: 600 to go in Canada -- Sun Media

Yeah, I saw that. I'm not sure where he got 22. I got my info right from one of the reporters there -- and Francis.