CNN cuts Hong Kong staff | Malaysia Sun

CNN cuts Hong Kong staff

Malaysia Sun Monday 9th February, 2004

CNN International has cut its production staff in Hong Kong, with additional job losses expected at London and the news agency's Atlanta headquarters.

Ten staffers, including writers, copy editors, line producers and associate producers, and an undetermined number of freelancers have lost their jobs at the Hong Kong office, according to Monday's Daily Variety.

The cuts are a result of CNN's recently announced global restructuring plan, with daily news production centralized in Atlanta and London.

Because of the way the shows are now formatted, we don't need so many people, and some jobs have been eliminated, said Carol Turner, a spokeswoman at CNN International-Asia Pacific.

CNN is not leaving Hong Kong, however. There will still be 3 1/2 hours of programming in the morning and two one-hour programs in the evening.

The Hong Kong firings follow Thursday's announcement CNN had eliminated 20 staff positions in Atlanta.

More firings in London and at the company's Internet operation in Atlanta are expected, an insider said.