Canada: Women Press Freedom Slams Bell Media's Drastic Cuts, Demands Prioritization of Public Interest
Approximately 4,800 people to lose their jobs as a result of the cuts
Location: Canada
Date: February 8, 2024
The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom staunchly condemns Bell Media's decision to cease multiple television newscasts and sell off a significant portion of its regional radio stations. This move not only signifies a stark departure from Bell's previous commitments to Canadian programming and local news expansion but also poses a grave threat to media diversity and the vitality of local journalism. Bell's profitability contradicts its justification for these drastic cuts, raising serious questions about the true motivations behind prioritizing profits over the public's right to access diverse and reliable news sources. The erosion of media diversity not only stifles democratic discourse but also perpetuates inequalities within the journalism industry, hindering the advancement of women journalists and marginalized voices. We call on Bell Media and other corporate entities to prioritize the public interest over short-term profits, uphold their commitments to local news expansion, and ensure the preservation of diverse voices within the media landscape.
In a significant shake-up within Canada's media landscape, Bell Media — the country’s largest media and telecom company — has announced the cessation of multiple television newscasts and the sale of a substantial portion of its regional radio stations. Bell's decision stands in stark contrast to its previous pledges, notably its 2010 acquisition of CTV, which promised significant investments in Canadian programming and local news expansion.
The decision to offload radio stations and discontinue certain television newscasts follows BCE Inc.'s announcement of a nine percent reduction in its overall workforce, amounting to approximately 4,800 job cuts across the organization. While specific figures for Bell Media were not disclosed, it is estimated that ten percent of the total job losses are within the media subsidiary.
The most recent wave of layoffs follows Bell's reduction of 1,300 positions just eight months ago, in June 2023. This downsizing marks a continuation of yearly workforce reductions within the telecommunications behemoth. Bell attributes these actions to declining advertising revenues and ongoing losses within its news division.
Despite revenue declines in its media division, Bell's profitability remains evident, raising questions about the necessity of such drastic cuts to essential news services.
“In the past decade, when acquisitions were allowed by these big companies, it came with a promise. Today, they backed away from that promise”
In a statement made on Parliament Hill following Bell's announcement of slashing 4,800 jobs, Minister Pascale St-Onge expressed deep disappointment, highlighting the company's history of consolidating media and acquiring local TV and radio assets under the condition of preserving these vital services.
"In the past decade, when acquisitions were allowed by these big companies, it came with a promise. Today, they backed away from that promise," stated St-Onge, emphasizing that Bell remains a highly profitable entity, making billions of dollars annually.
British Columbia Premier David Eby has condemned the corporate giant's decision to divest itself of numerous local radio stations, citing catastrophic consequences for local journalism and community engagement.
“Bell and corporations like Bell have overseen the assembly of local media assets that are treasures to local communities. Like corporate vampires, they sucked the life out of them, laying off journalists,” Eby declared. He accused Bell and similar entities of orchestrating the decline of local journalism, only to justify their abandonment of it on economic grounds.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom strongly condemns Bell Media's decision to discontinue multiple television newscasts and sell off a substantial portion of its regional radio stations. This move represents a significant setback for media diversity and the preservation of essential news services, particularly in local communities across Canada. It raises serious concerns about the prioritization of profits over the preservation of vital journalistic functions. Bell Media has the corporate responsibility to uphold its commitments to local journalism and community engagement. The divestiture of radio stations and reduction in TV newscasts not only diminishes media diversity but also exacerbates the erosion of critical voices in local communities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups, including women in journalism. We call on Bell Media to reconsider its decision and prioritize the preservation of essential news services, including investigative journalism and local news coverage. We urge the company to uphold its responsibility to the public and support the sustainability of diverse media ecosystems across Canada.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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