Online & Digital Media News – Postmedia plans layoffs, more digitization as part of cost-cutting plans

Unifor says it is looking at all options to protect media workers following Postmedia’s announcement that it plans layoffs. Planned cost-cutting over the coming months as a part of the company’s overall debt-reduction plan could amount to 11% of editorial staff, according to a report by The Canadian Press. The cuts would impact all of the company’s publications with the exception of Brunswick News and Postmedia Editorial Services, which have already been downsized, according to CP. Among other measures, the company plans to move its 12 Alberta community newspapers to digital-only formats and transition to more remote work. It was announced last week, Postmedia had sold the Calgary Herald building for $17.25 million. In Sudbury, the company won’t be renewing its lease on the home of the Sudbury Star. In October, Postmedia stopped printing Monday editions of nine major dailies – Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, The Province Edmonton Sun, Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun and Montreal Gazette – citing news consumption habits of readers, needs of advertisers and rising costs of producing and delivering a printed product.