CNN Lays Off 50 Staffers – Blames “Technology”

Comments 37 Nellie Andreeva

First video killed the radio star, and now technology is killing editing and videographer jobs — at least at CNN. The cable news network today laid off 50 staffers in the Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Miami offices. The bulk of the cuts are among editors, photojournalists, and librarians. CNN SVP Jack Womack explained they were caused by the ability for virtually anyone to edit and publish video on their computers, or search for background information online, and by the proliferation of viewer-generated video that is used more and more in professional news coverage, especially on breaking news. “Technology investments in our newsrooms now allow more desk-top editing and publishing for broadcast and online,” he wrote in an internal email. “This evolution allows more people in more places to edit and publish than ever before. As a result of these technology and workflow changes, CNN is reducing the number of media editors in our work force in Atlanta. … We looked at the impact of user-generated content and social media, CNN iReporters and of course our affiliate contributions in breaking news. Consumer and pro-sumer technologies are simpler and more accessible. Small cameras are now high broadcast quality. More of this technology is in the hands of more people. After completing this analysis, CNN determined that some photojournalists will be departing the company.”

All this from TIme Magazine.

Well, no surprises here to us.

The only surprise so far is that it is only 50.

More to come, no doubt.

Calling Mr. Schumpeter.

Michael Rosenblum

For more than 30 years, Michael Rosenblum has been on the cutting edge of the digital video journalism revolution. During this time, he has lead a drive for video literacy, and the complete rethinking of how television is made and controlled. His work has included: The complete transitioning of The BBC's national network (UK) to a VJ-driven model, starting in 2002. The complete conversion of The Voice of America, the United State's Government's broadcasting agency, (and the largest broadcaster in the world), from short wave radio to television broadcasting and webcasting using the VJ paradigm (1998-present). The construction of NYT Television, a New York Times Company, and the largest producer of non-fiction television in the US. Rosenblum was both the founder and President of NYT TV, (all based on this paradigm (1996-1998). The President and Founder of Video News International, a global VJ-driven newsgathering company, with more than 100 journalists around the world. (1993-1996). Other clients include Spectrum News, Verizon and CBS News.