This is interesting. MediaGuardian reports today that regional newspaper publisher Archant is set to reduce the number of editorial redundancies it is seeking at its Norfolk operation by 20 after a public outcry over the planned cuts.
MediaGuardian says it understands that staff were told in meetings today that the number of editorial jobs to be cut had fallen from 54 to 34 following a public campaign to support quality journalism in the region.
Meanwhile, HoldtheFrontPage reports that a political row is brewing with MPs in the North West urging the Guardian Media Group to rethink its plans to cut jobs at MEN Media, which would see 78 journalists being made redundant and the Manchester Evening News losing 39 editorial staff out of 90.
Showing posts with label Archant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Archant. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
Watch out the consultants are about
Just when you think things can't get any worse, Hold the Front Page reports that consultants are about, this time at Archant in Norfolk, conducting a dreaded productivity review to "measure journalists' output". These are the people who can't understand why reporters and subs sometimes have nothing to do and are then engulfed in work. It's called news, stupid.
Good to see HTPF posters are giving the consultants a pasting.
Hilary Jones: "If Archant want to save money, why spend the consultants' fees?"
Lister: "If managers need to bring in consultants to tell them what is wrong with their business, then that says more about the managers than it does the journalists they are supposed to be managing. Sadly, it's the same in every newsroom - certainly my own. We are being run by people who really do not know what they are doing and should not be let loose within a mile of a newspaper."
Observer:"There was a 'productivity review' at Northcliffe when I worked there - it was called 'Aim Higher', but was christened 'Aim Fire'. And that's exactly what happened. I wonder how many of these consultants have spent hours on the phone trying to track down a quote or a contact, or half a day in court to get a 400 word splash? None I expect. These things are not very productive in one sense, but they get the stories and sell the papers. That's what journalists are for, you fools."
Good to see HTPF posters are giving the consultants a pasting.
Hilary Jones: "If Archant want to save money, why spend the consultants' fees?"
Lister: "If managers need to bring in consultants to tell them what is wrong with their business, then that says more about the managers than it does the journalists they are supposed to be managing. Sadly, it's the same in every newsroom - certainly my own. We are being run by people who really do not know what they are doing and should not be let loose within a mile of a newspaper."
Observer:"There was a 'productivity review' at Northcliffe when I worked there - it was called 'Aim Higher', but was christened 'Aim Fire'. And that's exactly what happened. I wonder how many of these consultants have spent hours on the phone trying to track down a quote or a contact, or half a day in court to get a 400 word splash? None I expect. These things are not very productive in one sense, but they get the stories and sell the papers. That's what journalists are for, you fools."
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