Four editorial staff will be leaving the Bucks Free Press as part of a wider job review at Newsquest titles in the south-east.

On Friday we reported that five roles were under threat at the weekly title.

Insiders have confirmed to HoldtheFrontpage that four editorial staff will leave the series – a trainee news reporter, a part-time editorial assistant and a news editor will go within the coming days while property writer Pam Bramley has already left.

A fifth member of staff has been transferred from news reporting at the Free Press to work on sport at sister title the Watford Observer.

Newsquest is also reviewing staffing levels at its London weekly titles such as the Waltham Forest Guardian and Wanstead and Woodford Guardian with 12 positions under threat.

Anthony Longden, managing editor for Newsquest Herts and Bucks, said he was unable to comment while the wider consultation process was ongoing and reiterated his statement issued last week.

The statement said: “Newsquest has announced a number of possible redundancies at its newspapers in north and east London, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire following a wide-ranging review.

“In a joint announcement issued earlier in the month, Vic Catanach, managing director of Newsquest’s Herts and Bucks division, and Andy Thomas, managing director of north and east London, said a number of jobs across the business may go as a result of challenging economic conditions.

“They added the company will follow its usual policy of avoiding unnecessary redundancy wherever possible.

“Due to the fact the consultation process is in progress and has been for some time, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Comments

Ni Kershaw again (21/10/2008 08:30:50)
How many is this now? What’s the running total? I’d be interested to see an audit of ALL the regional press jobs lost in the past 12 months. There’s Trinity in B’ham, the Archant newsroom mingling in Norfolk and Suffolk, all the Glasgow debacle, the south-east weeklies, Newsquest here, there and everywhere. The truth should be told – all the commentators are shying away from revealing the true devastation to livelihoods.

mc (21/10/2008 21:06:40)
Anyone considering a career in journalism would be well advised to avoid it at all costs. There is no future because with newspapers, radio and TV shedding jobs, anyone lucky enough to land one after graduation will face a lifetime of low pay. My advice after 40 years in the game is to avoid at all costs, however glamourous it may seem to an 18-year-old.