CAJ disappointed over cuts at Sun Media

OTTAWA, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists is disappointed to hear Sun Media has decided to cut 200 jobs across its operations.

The cuts were announced on Dec. 4 by Sun Media president and CEO Julie Tremblay. The company indicated the 200 jobs, one-quarter of which are editorial positions, are equivalent to five percent of its employees.

Tremblay blamed "profound, unprecedented changes" in the industry-particularly those related to the "digital revolution"-for the cuts, but claimed they were "necessary to maintain (Sun Media's) leading position and ensure the Corporation's sustainability."

"Job cuts that shrink newsrooms invariably threaten the quality of the content that newspapers produce," said CAJ vice-president Nick Taylor-Vaisey. "The CAJ recognizes the tremendous challenges posed by technological changes in our industry, and the constant struggle to sustain revenue, but we remain adamant that cutting the journalists who produce content is particularly short-sighted. High-quality journalism is imperative to every newsroom's survival."

The Canadian Media Guild estimates that Canada's media companies have cut 10,000 jobs since 2008, including 6,000 in the print sector.

The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing approximately 600 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.

SOURCE: Canadian Association of Journalists

Nick Taylor-Vaisey, CAJ vice-president - 647-968-2393, [email protected]