NYT to cut 100 newsroom jobs

The New York Times is planning to slash 100 newsroom jobs, representing about 8 per cent of the total news staff, by the end of this year.

The famed American newspaper in a report said it would be offering buyouts to union and non-union employees and resort to layoffs if it cannot get enough people to leave voluntarily. According to the daily, 100 newsroom jobs would be cut, accounting for 8 per cent of the total, by year-end.

"I won't pretend that these staff cuts will not add to the burdens of journalists whose responsibilities have grown faster than their compensation," Bill Keller, who is the executive editor of The Times, was quoted as saying.

In a note to his staff, he also said, "Like you, I yearn for the day when we can do our jobs without looking over our shoulders for economic thunderstorms".

Last year, The Times had cut 100 newsroom positions. According to the report, The Times's news department had more than 1,330 employees before the last round of cuts.

"The current number of workers is about 1,250; no other American newspaper has more than about 750," it added.

The newspaper, owned by the New York Times Company, would mail buyout packages to the entire newsroom staff on Thursday and the employees have 45 days to decide whether to apply for the buyout.

In addition, the Times would offer buyouts to Newspaper Guild-represented employees in other departments, including advertising, the report said.