Changes to come in CBC’s news departments

CBC plans to reorganize “all aspects of its newsgathering processes,” the public broadcaster has announced.

The announcement said changes are likely in news programs such as The National, The World at Six and World Report as well as on Newsworld and on CBCNews.ca. However, no details were given about schedules and programs.

In March, the public broadcaster announced 800 job cuts across the company. Of the 800, 393 were on the English side, including 121 jobs in radio, 80 jobs in the newsroom division and 109 positions in television entertainment.

Jennifer McGuire, CBC’s interim head of news told staff before an internal meeting:

“Despite the financial challenges we face as the result of a drastic decline in advertising revenue and the continuing erosion in real dollars of our public subsidy, we are proceeding with plans to re-engineer our operations. The efficiencies achieved will allow us to enhance our overall news service.

Canadians will be better served by these changes and will continue to receive their news with both the depth and context they demand.”

McGuire said specific announcements about programs and schedules would be available later this year and into 2010.