Media layoffs continue: Staffers see red over unexplained pink slips

Amidst the ongoing debate about corporate work culture, the media sector is also grappling with a similar issue - layoffs. Nearly 250 journalists in various capacities - reporting, desk, production, and technical support - have lost their jobs in the last three months alone, according to sources. Mass firings continue across major media networks alongside consolidations in the sector.

One of the corporate-owned media conglomerates in the country has reportedly laid off around 150 employees in phases. This move comes shortly after certain media deals, which experts believe will result in further job cuts due to 'redundant roles’,

Many laid-off employees shared with e4m that they were not informed about the reasons for their termination, with some speculating that the company was simply meeting layoff targets.

Some said they didn’t even receive official communication. Last month, exchange4media put together an in-depth report on why there was a surge in media job losses, revealing a 15% increase in layoffs since last year, with the industry experiencing an all-time high in job cuts.

“These days organisations don’t directly fire you, they ask you to put in the resignation voluntarily and further the normal exit process takes place. About 8-10 more from my team were asked to do the same with no concrete reason as such,” shared an impacted employee from the Hindi digital news desk team from the company that is in the process of laying off 150 employees.

“Dedicating so many years to this industry and being asked to leave at such short notice seems like a waste of effort for our dedication and loyalty to the industry,” said another.

According to sources, the same company seems to have fired staff members from all around the country and closed numerous of its smaller bureaus, including editions in Patna and Lucknow.

Insiders shared with e4m that all but one of the Mumbai bureau reporters had been fired by the same organisation. Huge layoffs have also occurred in the daily’s digital bureaus in Hyderabad and the North-East.

The plight of employees does not stop there. The fired employees say there has been no severance paid and many weren’t even given a reason before handing out pink slips.

A similar phased layoff took place in Zee a couple of months back. The company did release a statement about it. According to the company’s annual report for 2023-24, the revenue from operations for FY23-24 declined by 11.42%. As per media reports, the editorial staff of the channel, Zee-Bihar-Jharkhand, WION, Zee Uttar Pradesh, and the network's digital division, primarily the camera crew, received pink slips.

Many of those forced to resign claimed that the management's justification for ‘cost-cutting’ was to ease the network's financial strain.

However, these are not the only networks issuing pink slips to journalists. Another prominent network, known for its digital presence and regional and Hindi language shows, has initiated phased layoffs, including disbanding a team formed specifically for general election coverage.

Meanwhile, another big network, which recently saw the departure of its CEO after two decades, has let go of a 35-40-member team. This network is also known for its strong presence in regional languages.

Quint is also reducing its workforce as well. “Approximately 20-25 people were informed that their teams and functions would soon be dissolved. Most of the impacted employees have been with the company for 2-5 years,” shared a source close to the matter.

The source further added that affected employees were offered a three-month severance package and the flexibility to either continue working or leave immediately, based on their preference.

For more senior officials at The Quint, who have been associated with the publication for nearly a decade, an indefinite timeline was given to explore opportunities outside. They were informed that the organisation currently has no suitable roles for them but does not want to set a deadline for their departure either.

In 2024, media revenues in India are witnessing a mixed trajectory, influenced by rapid digital transformation and economic uncertainties. While traditional mediums like print and television are grappling with stagnant growth and declining ad spends, digital media continues to surge, driven by increased internet penetration and evolving consumer preferences.

Subscription models, digital advertising, and branded content are gaining traction as media companies pivot to capitalise on the booming digital landscape. However, the overall industry is still navigating challenges such as regulatory hurdles, competition from global platforms, and the struggle to monetise content effectively, impacting profitability and growth prospects.

e4m reached out to all the networks in question, but no responses were received till the time of publishing this story.