Eight editorial jobs are under threat at Johnston Press titles in the south of England.

A company announcement, seen by HoldtheFrontPage, details proposals to reduce the production team by four staff, photographic by three and the sports desk by one.

JP’s ‘South Division’ covers Hampshire, East Sussex and West Sussex but it is not yet known which titles specifically will be affected by the proposals.

A consultation period is now ongoing with affected staff which is expected to run until the end of January.

The plans have been put forward after a review of working practices and the needs of the business with production possibly consolidated across two centres.

Referring to photographic, the statement said: “An analysis of photographs used in our titles showed that reporters are already taking pictures and, whenever possible, organisations and individuals are encouraged to contribute their own.

“Systems are already established which ensure that photographers and reporters for the majority of diary stories do not attend the same jobs.

“But taking into account the reduction in budgeted paginations and better use and co-ordination of reporters and photographers it is proposed that headcount is reduced by three.”

A “more co-ordinated approach to sports coverage” will take place in East Sussex following the merger of the Sussex Newspapers Ltd and TR Beckett Ltd divisions, announced earlier this month, meaning one fewer sports journalist would be required.

National Union of Journalists assistant organiser Don Mackglew said: “We are very concerned that hard-pressed staff are going to be expected to cope with even fewer people working at these centres. We will be looking at the health and safety implications.

“I will be talking to our members straight after the holiday and taking up their concerns with management in the first week of January.”

Johnston Press declined to comment further on this story.

Comments

former snapper (23/12/2008 18:55:48)
They never did value photographs but then this is sometimes a 2 way street

Major Eyeswater (23/12/2008 22:41:58)
I guess if reporters take photos, you won’t need photographers. Perhaps they could sub the pages as well…
In this case you’ll just end up with several newspapers essentially sharing the same content – and they wonder why sales are dropping.

Golam Murtaza (24/12/2008 06:32:14)
Come on Major Eyeswater, you’re not entering into the spirit of this, are you? Why not have journalists also write advertising features, sell adverts, put up bills, man the reception desk, provide IT support and operate the printing press? Just think of the MASSIVE SAVINGS!
Of course, we wouldn’t want them to be company execs. That would just be silly.

Fox Mulder (24/12/2008 09:31:16)
Major Eyeswater, you mean you’re NOT already doing all that?!
We’re just waiting for the axe to fall here in the north as well – happy times.