The economic shock caused by the Covid-19 pandemic did not spare the press. The British daily The Guardian announced on Wednesday July 15 that it will cut up to 180 jobs, including 70 journalist positions. This restructuring “Could affect up to 180 positions – 110 in the commercial, advertising and marketing departments and 70 in the editorial department ”, said the newspaper on the left on its website.
According to the editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and Annette Thomas, the managing director of the Guardian Media Group, the newspaper’s publishing company, the pandemic caused “Unsustainable financial prospects” which should result in a turnover of more than 25 million pounds (27.6 million euros) below the budget for the year.
The Guardian is the latest media to embark on restructuring due to the pandemic, which has resulted in a drop in physical sales and advertising revenue. On July 7, the British press group Reach, owner of the tabloids Daily Mirror and Daily Express, had announced the reduction of 12% of its workforce, or about 550 jobs.
The BBC also affected by the crisis
Already engaged in a plan to make 800 million pounds of savings (886 million euros), the BBC had indicated as of June must realize 125 million pounds (140 million euros) of additional savings in because of the health crisis.
The British public audiovisual group has since announced its intention to cut a total of 600 jobs in its regional branches, as part of a digital savings and development plan.
Unlike many competitors, The Guardian has not adopted a paid business model for its website, leaving all of its content for free consultation.
“Despite the pressure that the coronavirus has put on our business, our unique model of relationship with readers has proven itself”, Katharine Viner and Annette Thomas said, adding that the pandemic would not jeopardize this strategy.
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