Four editor posts are at risk in a fresh round of cutbacks at regional publisher National World which will also see one daily title reduced to just three news reporters.
The publisher is planning to reduce the number of editor roles at its city network of websites from six to just two according to plans announced to staff this week.
Currently the six roles cover National World’s online operations at Sunderland, Newcastle/South Shields, Blackpool/Preston, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol.
Under the new plans, they will be reduced to a single group editor and deputy group editor covering all eight sites.
It means that the five existing editors in the network will be battling for the two remaining roles.
They are: Liam Kennedy (Newcastle World and Shields Gazette), Ross Robertson (Sunderland Echo), Adam Lord (Manchester World), Vanessa Simms (Blackpool Gazette/Lancashire Evening Post) and Dom Raynor (Liverpool World).
Reporting staff are also being cut back at several titles including the Yorkshire Post, Manchester World and the Sunderland Echo.
HTFP understands that the latter changes will mean the loss of two of the five reporters at the Echo, leaving the title with just three dedicated news journalists.
The National Union of Journalists has condemned the plans saying they run contrary to the previously stated strategy of having local editors.
The union also claims there has been inadequate time set aside for consultation with a maximum three weeks set aside for the process.
Northern and Midlands senior organiser Chris Morley, pictured, said: “Journalists at the titles are already overstretched due to inadequate staffing levels, and these proposed cuts in Sunderland and Manchester would place intolerable strain on those that remain.
“National World has justified these severe cuts by saying that page views are down, but without saying how fewer overworked journalists with less time and more stress are expected to produce more of the quality local journalism that these communities want to read.
“The proposed cutback in the number of editors who serve National World websites throughout the North of England would inevitably reduce responsiveness to local issues and concerns.
“We will be strongly supporting our members through this process and call on the company to immediately rethink the insufficient time for consultation that has been given.”
A motion passed by the NUJ National World group chapel on this week states: “This chapel is dismayed at proposals by National World to cut reporting roles in Sunderland by 40%, cutting reporters in Manchester by 50%, and the effect it will have on local reporting.
“It also notes with concern proposals to reduce local editors, and the effect of stress on already overworked journalists at the titles producing local journalism.
“This has been exacerbated by inadequate time for consultation. The chapel calls upon the company to rethink the proposals and the effect on quality local journalism and calls for proper consultation with the NUJ and local staff about the effects of these cuts.”
National World has been approached for comment.
