Cuts at Rogers and CBC will hurt Canadians - CAJ

OTTAWA, April 2, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists expresses its deep concern over two series of cuts announced Thursday impacting both Rogers Communications Ltd. and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

On March 29, Rogers announced it would be cutting 300 positions across its entire corporate holdings, which includes Rogers Media. This may include positions in Rogers' publication division as well as its television stations and specialty channels.

Later the same day as part of the budget, the Department of Canadian Heritage confirmed the CBC would face a 10 per cent funding cut over the next three years as part of cutbacks within that ministry.

"When jobs are cut within a media company, Canadians often lose," CAJ president Hugo Rodrigues said. "These positions help inform and educate Canadians about the news and information we need to have for a healthy, functioning democratic society."

The CAJ is concerned the cuts at the CBC in particular will impact the corporation's newsgathering ability in an era when the CBC was taking steps to enhance its local and regional newsrooms. The recent launch of a digital newsroom in Hamilton, Ont., is an example of how the CBC continues to meet its mandate in different ways.

The CAJ believes the federal government's decision to cut the CBC's budget when its board and president had requested stable and secure funding is short-sighted and may cause irrevocable damage to the corporation's ability to meet its legislated mandate.

The CAJ encourages both Rogers and CBC management to minimize the impact of these cuts to their news and information programming. Canadians are well served when there are multiple voices we can turn to and these cuts will silence some of those voices.

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

Hugo Rodrigues, CAJ president - 519-756-2020 ext. 2226, 519-535-8680, [email protected] 

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