Posted on 12/25/2002 1:02:11 AM PST by Timesink
Posted on Tue, Dec. 24, 2002
CNN has fired at least two veteran reporters in the past 10 days, and rumors are flying around the network's bureaus that other dismissals are on the way as part of a new round of layoffs.
Reporters Mark Potter, based in Miami, and Allan Dodds Frank, based in New York, both confirmed Monday that they were fired earlier this month for what CNN told them were economic reasons.
''What's happening is clear,'' said Frank, the featured reporter on CNN's Moneyline who recently won the prestigious Gerald R. Loeb broadcasting award for stories on the financing of the Sept. 11 attacks. ``They're getting rid of anybody whose contract is up who is not a superstar anchor or a 25-year-old willing to be paid in Canadian dollars.''
CNN officials did not return phone calls Monday night about the firings.
The network laid off more than 400 employees shortly after its parent company, Time Warner, was acquired by America Online in 2001 and has been steadily tightening its belt ever since.
Neither of the firings has been officially announced by CNN, either publicly or internally, and journalists in the network's Washington and New York offices say they believe other reporters have been dismissed during the past week. ''With everybody on vacation, it's hard to tell,'' said one CNN editor. ``We keep asking, but we don't get any answers.''
Potter, one of three reporters in CNN's bureau here, is a veteran of 26 years in the Miami market, including stints at WSVN-Fox 7, WPLG-ABC 10 and the ABC News bureau. He joined CNN in 1998.
''Given the extremely busy and productive year I had, I was shocked and very disappointed to get this news,'' Potter said.
"Gee. Just like every other company in the US. Welcome to the real world, newsies."
That line struck me as well. I wonder if CNN will figure out that they can save a ton of money if they use Indian or Mexican labor for everything except for the talking head on-screen?
They knew from over a year before going on the air that they could save a ton of money by making sure it was a nonunion shop.
Most of these people get paid a lot less than you'd think. I know the average high-level Fox correspondent (that is, the kind that tends to get air time at least several days a week instead of once every 15 days or so) only makes $75-80K, and 10% of that goes straight to their agents.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.