AddThis SmartLayers

Archant set to axe jobs in editorial review

Up to 20 jobs could be lost at Archant Norfolk titles after the company announced plans to restructure its editorial department.

Bosses say the proposals, which are subject to a 30-day consultation period, will lead to the creation of a new digital department, greater focus on weekly titles and an increase in the number of reporters operating ‘on-patch,’ closer to the communities they report on.

The company, publisher of the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, says no reporting jobs will be lost, while a number of new roles will be created.

Instead savings will be found from what editorial director James Foster called “efficiencies in the way we process and produce our papers.”

Said James: “The publishing world in which we now operate is changing, which means that we need to create a flexible and digitally aware department, responsive to our audience. We anticipate the creation of a number of new roles within the team to help us achieve this.

“We have striven to propose changes which allow us to invest more in our digital operation and at the same time address our costs by making efficiencies in the way we produce and process our newspapers.”

Peter Waters, editor of the Eastern Daily Press, added: “It is important that we develop even further our connections with the communities that we serve and these proposals are designed to help us achieve that.”

Tim Williams, editor of the Evening News and County Weeklies, said: “Increasing our ability to serve our audience through all channels, print and digital, will help us grow in the future.”

5 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • April 19, 2011 at 7:14 pm
    Permalink

    No “reporting jobs will be lost”? Features and sports writers are apparently included, and subs have an important role to play in reporting too!
    Editorial directors don’t have much to do with reporting though. They just got rid of two MDs in Norfolk and Suffolk – be nice if that approach was applied a little further down the chain!!

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • April 19, 2011 at 9:20 pm
    Permalink

    Is this the same James Foster who was part of the management team which the NUJ issued a vote of no confidence in during the last round of redunancies?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • April 20, 2011 at 9:47 am
    Permalink

    Peter Waters, editor of the Eastern Daily Press, added: “It is important that we develop even further our connections with the communities that we serve and these proposals are designed to help us achieve that.”

    Tim Williams, editor of the Evening News and County Weeklies, said: “Increasing our ability to serve our audience through all channels, print and digital, will help us grow in the future.”

    It’s incredible what these people come out with. I can just let these two off if they are relatively young editors, but if they are old, have seen what the industry had to offer then shame on them. “… grow in the future” – grow into what? A toothless old hag? Scandalous fellas, scandalous.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • April 21, 2011 at 2:27 pm
    Permalink

    And is this the same James Foster who oversaw the introduction of the Atex editorial system to Archant which has led to dozens losing their jobs while he takes a promotion and a huge pay rise? His mother must be very proud.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • April 27, 2011 at 9:06 pm
    Permalink

    Reporting jobs have already been lost, by not bothering to fill vacancies, though they don’t mention that!

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)