CBC News revamp geared to 24-hour coverage
But news departments also face $7M cut
Last Updated: Friday, April 17, 2009 | 11:50 AM ET
CBC News
CBC News announced on Thursday plans to reorganize its newsgathering with an emphasis on chasing news around the clock.
The reorganization is being made in the face of a cut of $7 million to CBC News and the elimination of more than 70 jobs.
On March 25, the CBC announced it must cut $171 million from its operating costs in 2009-10, including its news departments, to make up for a shortfall in advertising revenue.
Senior executives spoke to staff across the country on Thursday, warning there would be layoffs in some areas of news, while others are to see new resources.
Jennifer McGuire, interim head of news, said the reorganization of news departments was an initiative begun two years ago, before the recession hit ad revenues.
The economic constraints the CBC faces make the reorganization more urgent, she said.
"We've been investing across all platforms and trying to better serve Canadians in the way they live," she said in an interview. "At the same time, we're dealing with incredible [financial] pressure.
"What we've been trying to do is look at how we work and what we do and do it more efficiently," she added.
One thrust of the reorganization is to improve local service, McGuire said.
She promised better local news, but refused to release details of how that would be achieved. However, reports of a 90-minute regional newscast were widely leaked on Thursday.
"CBC management has not publicly confirmed a proposed move to a 90-minute supperhour newscast," CBC said in an official statement.
Another priority is a 24-hour approach to news, McGuire said, pointing out that the CBC has been slow at covering stories such as last summer's propane explosion in Toronto because there was no one monitoring events in the early morning.
"There is a broad expectation by Canadians that CBC News be there and that we get it instantly," she said.
The public broadcaster also wants its radio, television and online news operations to work more closely together, she said.
At the same time, the news operation has to absorb cuts. There will be 70 jobs eliminated in news as part of the 393 layoffs in English-language services announced in March.
Among the cuts are a reduction in resources to international coverage and to shows such as The National, as well as to TV and radio news across the country.
The National will move to seven days a week, replacing Saturday Report and CBC News: Sunday, an initiative announced earlier.
Specific announcements of other new program schedules and job cuts will come later this year and through early 2010, McGuire said.
