Media cuts erode much-needed information flow

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Media cuts erode much-needed information flow

December 16, 2008

Canadian media is being hammered by job losses at precisely the time when Canadians require more local and national news.

"With an economy in crisis, we need solid, diverse reportage and points of view. As media corporations slash their workforce that information flow is being seriously eroded," said Peter Murdoch, Vice-President Media for the CEP, Canada's largest media union

Mr. Murdoch was responding to the announcement by Sun Media that it is cutting 600 FTEs - 10% of its workforce - across Canada.

"We are aware that media companies are feeling the effects of an economy slowed down by financial hooligans on Wall Street, but Canadians rely on their media for vital information. The country needs it."

Brad Honywill, president of CEP Local 87-M in Toronto, which services more than 700 Sun Media employees in 12 workplaces, said he is concerned the cutbacks will permanently cripple Ontario's media.

"These cutbacks mean there will be more and more shared stories and, consequently less local news," said Mr. Honywill. "It's our hope, and Sun Media's responsibility, to restore these jobs when the economy improves."

Mr. Honywill said the public should take note that what started out as greed-fuelled, unbridled capitalism in the U.S. has turned into a global catastrophe and is now affecting the quality and quantity of the newsavailable to Canadians.

For more information contact:
Peter Murdoch
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Phone: 905-516-5720
Website: www.cep.ca

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