US Vice Media announces job cuts, ends flagship newscast

ISTANBUL

Vice Media has announced layoffs and the end of its popular newscast Vice News Tonight as part of a restructuring of its global news operations, staff at the US-Canadian broadcaster were told.

“In response to the current market conditions and business realities facing VMG (Vice Media Group) and the broader news and media industry, we are moving forward on some painful but necessary reductions, primarily across our News business,” said co-CEOs Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala said in a memo to staff, according to CNN on Thursday.

“We are transforming VICE News to better withstand market realities and more closely align with how and where we see our audiences engaging with our content most,” Dixon and Lokhandwala said, adding that the company is not exiting the news business.

According to the report, the number of job cuts has yet to be announced, but the axe will fall especially hard on the company’s Washington, D.C. offices, where dozens of layoffs are expected.

Michael Learmonth, the editor-in-chief of Vice News, said on Twitter: “Hey everyone. Personal news! Today is my last day at @vicenews. Too many people to thank. So grateful for my nearly 7 years here - truly the best team in this business.”

According to a CNN report, the last episode of the award-winning Vice News Tonight will be aired on May 25. The flagship program last March celebrated its 1,000th episode.

The Vice Media staff layoff came a week after US BuzzFeed announced it was shutting down its namesake news unit.