The NZ Herald is restructuring its newsroom to enhance audience engagement and reducing its workforce by about 30 roles.
The NZ Herald has announced significant operational changes aimed at reshaping its newsroom, including a greater emphasis on video content and a reduction in staff, effective by mid-March.
The editor-in-chief, Murray Kirkness, expressed support for the proposed video initiatives, which include the launch of a new daily video stream dubbed Herald Now. He noted that embracing video could create new audience engagement and revenue opportunities for the publication. “It would be folly to ignore it,” Kirkness said.
As part of the restructuring, the NZ Herald plans to cut about 30 roles, with around 20 positions affected in production and about 10 in frontline reporting and writing. Several senior staff members have opted for voluntary redundancy, including political editor Claire Trevett, deputy business editor Grant Bradley, senior sports writer Chris Rattue, and Viva’s creative director Dan Ahwa.
The cuts in production roles will impact copy and layout sub-editors as well as graphic artists. New technologies, including automation tools, will streamline the production process.
The proposals, which have now been confirmed, will establish 14 specialised desks within the newsroom, each tasked with specific coverage areas such as live news, national issues, business, politics and lifestyle content. Additionally, dedicated desks will focus on content specific to Auckland, Wellington and the South Island.
Each desk will be overseen by an editor responsible for meeting defined targets in terms of generating new subscriptions, achieving page views and increasing video engagement. This realignment aims to produce publish-ready material, thereby reducing dependency on production journalists.
Michael Boggs, the chief executive of NZME, communicated to staff that the newsroom is being “reshaped and resized” to enhance audience engagement and subscription generation. He noted the long-term goals of increasing both audience numbers and revenue through video content while emphasising an ongoing commitment to innovative editorial tools for improved productivity.
Part of the changes also involves setting up a specialist print team, which will operate alongside the new newsroom structure. Boggs stated that further details regarding the new NZ Herald streaming channel will be forthcoming, reinforcing the organisation’s strategic move towards digital audience engagement.
The operational changes are anticipated to be fully implemented by mid-March, with adjustments to the production department expected by the end of April.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/almost-40-jobs-set-to-be-cut-from-nz-herald-newsroom-as-nzme-proposes-major-shake-up/REPCYPP4RJD5RNO5IYGK25P6RQ/ – This article supports the claim that NZME is proposing significant job cuts and restructuring in the NZ Herald newsroom to improve profitability and adapt to changing audience demands. It also mentions the focus on video content and the establishment of specialized desks.
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-nzme-confirms-plans-to-cut-nz-herald-newsroom-roles-launch-new-video-brand/K43EQMZQ3VGOXCAWEU36YMCETA/ – This article confirms the plans to cut roles in the NZ Herald newsroom and launch a new video brand, aligning with the strategic shift towards video content and digital engagement.
- https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/rulesofcourt.pdf – This document does not directly relate to the NZ Herald’s restructuring but is included as it was part of the search results. It pertains to the rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia and does not support any claims about the NZ Herald.
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/almost-40-jobs-set-to-be-cut-from-nz-herald-newsroom-as-nzme-proposes-major-shake-up/REPCYPP4RJD5RNO5IYGK25P6RQ/ – This article provides further details on the impact of job cuts, including the reduction in production roles and the use of automation tools to streamline processes.
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-nzme-confirms-plans-to-cut-nz-herald-newsroom-roles-launch-new-video-brand/K43EQMZQ3VGOXCAWEU36YMCETA/ – This article highlights the reduction in net redundancies from about 38 to 30 and mentions several senior journalists opting for voluntary redundancy, supporting the claim about staff changes.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions specific plans and timelines for implementation, suggesting it is current. However, without a specific date or recent updates, it might be slightly outdated.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Murray Kirkness and Michael Boggs are provided, but no specific online sources or dates for these quotes were found. They appear to be original or recent.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable news outlet, NZ Herald, which generally provides reliable information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The restructuring plans and emphasis on video content are plausible given current media trends. The specific details about role cuts and new initiatives align with common business strategies in the media industry.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and well-supported by quotes from key figures. It originates from a reliable source and aligns with plausible business strategies in the media sector.
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