ACM’s announcement today that it would cut 35 jobs across 11 newsrooms, which follows its decision to discontinue printing eight newspapers, is a blow to quality local journalism.
To be attributed to Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance acting Media Director Michelle Rae:
“While ACM promotes itself as a “trusted voice” in the regional communities in which it operates, continued cost-cutting and redundancies only undermine its mission.
“For decades, regional newspapers have been the heartbeat of their communities, providing local news that big national and metropolitan outlets can’t or won’t provide. They have also provided quality local jobs for thousands of journalists, photographers, production staff, designers, and more.
“This trend, which started with the relaxation of media ownership laws and has been accelerated by the actions of social media giant Meta, seriously threatens the important role that journalism plays in a democracy: keeping the public informed and holding powerful institutions accountable.
“It’s clear that previous federal government efforts to support regional journalism have been insufficient or poorly targeted and, as a result, newsroom closures and job losses have continued unabated. The government must take action to support the further erosion of regional media, including providing funding that will directly support the employment of local journalists to provide genuinely local news to serve their communities.”
