Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network is cutting 500 jobs, which is about 10% of its total workforce. It is said that the job cuts will affect posts worldwide but the majority of the layoffs will hit staffers at its headquarters in Doha. It was unclear which jobs had been cut, and whether the layoffs would impact its […]
Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network is cutting 500 jobs, which is about 10% of its total workforce.
It is said that the job cuts will affect posts worldwide but the majority of the layoffs will hit staffers at its headquarters in Doha. It was unclear which jobs had been cut, and whether the layoffs would impact its newsroom.
It was also reported that the job cuts are a result of the changing global media landscape.
A statement from Al Jazeera described the latest move as “a workforce optimisation initiative” in response to “the ongoing transformation of the media landscape”.
Acting Director General Mostefa Souag said the decision was “difficult” but the group was “confident it is the right step”.
“While our decision is consistent with those being made across the media industry worldwide, it was difficult to make nonetheless,” he said.
Despite the layoffs, the company said it hoped to ensure its “long-term competitiveness and reach.”
Al Jazeera, funded by the Qatari government, was founded in 1996 and has more than 70 bureaus worldwide.
