CNN follows other U.S. news organizations in reorganization
Charlie Tribarrow
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US news network CNN announced on Thursday that it will cut 6% of its staff, or about 200 people, as it embarks on a major overhaul of its staffing and programming amid a flood of political news.
The station follows reorganizations at other stations and the creation of new roles could stabilize its overall workforce as Donald Trump returns to the White House on Monday. said.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson told staff in a memo: “Some of today’s announcements represent significant new employment opportunities at CNN, while others represent the loss of valued colleagues. There are some things that are connected.”
“While jobs have certainly been lost, and approximately 6 percent of CNN’s current workforce will be affected, we do not expect the total workforce to decline significantly, if at all, this year.” he added.
“That’s because we are investing $70 million in a digital plan that will create many new jobs.”
It’s unclear whether this reorganization will follow the pattern of some other traditional media outlets, which have laid off well-paid veteran reporters and editors to put younger, lower-paid staff on digital projects.
In November, the prestigious Associated Press announced it would cut nearly 8 percent of its jobs as the U.S.-based news agency battles customer cancellations and economic headwinds.
Last July, CNN announced it would remove about 100 posts, while also creating a paid digital service on its website to supplement its existing output.
Thompson also announced on Thursday the upcoming launch of new paid streaming products, although he did not provide details.
CNN previously launched its streaming service CNN+ in 2022, but it shut down without much fanfare a month later amid a complex multibillion-dollar merger between legacy media giants WarnerMedia and Discovery.
The channel, a symbol of declining cable TV viewership, is also struggling with intense competition.
CNN, which has long been overtaken by conservative favorite Fox News, which aired an exclusive interview with Trump on Wednesday, has also been overtaken by MSNBC, which has established itself as a leading voice in opposition to and criticism of Trump and his Republican Party. was also overtaken.
