The restructure of Trinity Mirror’s regional newspapers continues, with changes announced at the Newcastle Chronicle & Journal.
The publisher is set to cut 2 photographer roles, an agenda writer and social media editor.
However, it will create a number of new jobs, including a head of content, head of audience engagement, a fan writer for Newcastle and Sunderland football teams and a Sunderland city writer. It is also advertising for a multimedia journalist and content curator.
NUJ’s Northern and Midlands organiser, Chris Morley said it amounted to a “merry-go-round of misery.”
“When will digital growth bring with it the revenue needed to sustain quality journalism? In Newcastle’s case, we see the axe poised over a number of roles that considerably assist in driving up digital hits – particularly photographic where we know online picture galleries are generally very successful and videos which we have been led to believe drive digital revenue,” he said.
“We will be looking closely at the company’s policy to rely increasingly on freelance photographers. The sad fact is that low pay rates and high capital costs are driving individuals out of the news sector so the company’s ability to use freelances in the future is very much open to question.
“We will be supporting all our members put at risk by these latest proposals and expect that where individuals wish to stay, suitable work is found for them.”
