CNN is informing its employees that layoffs are on the way.
On Wednesday, Oliver Darcy, the network’s senior media reporter, shared a letter from CNN’s CEO Chris Licht discussing the layoffs.
He wrote, “Our people are the heart and soul of this organization. It is incredibly hard to say goodbye to any one member of the CNN team, much less many. I recently described this process as a gut punch, because I know that is how it feels for all of us.”
“Today, we will notify a limited number of individuals, largely some of our paid contributors, as part of a recalibrated reporting strategy. Tomorrow, we will notify impacted employees, and tomorrow afternoon I will follow up with more details on these changes,” he continued.
The letter went on to acknowledge this “will be a difficult time for everyone.”
“I know these changes affect both our departing colleagues and those who remain, and we have resources designed to support you,” Licht continued.
He concluded, “Let’s take care of each other this week.”
Read the letter below:
CNN boss Chris Licht informs employees in an all-staff note that layoffs are underway.
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) November 30, 2022
Licht says those being notified today are largely paid contributors and then tomorrow CNN "will notify impacted employees."
Licht will then provide an update to staff afterward. pic.twitter.com/nD0pt9Ruwj
Earlier this year, Licht appeared to indicate the network could see layoffs.
In an Oct. 26 letter, he laid out some of the changes implemented at CNN since he took over.
“There is a lot more to be done. I am writing to you today to say that over the next several weeks, that work will accelerate,” the letter continued.
It went on:
“There is widespread concern over the global economic outlook, and we must factor that risk into our long-term planning. All this together will mean noticeable change to this organization. That, by definition, is unsettling. These changes will not be easy because they will affect people, budgets, and projects.”
Chris Licht just sent this note to CNN staff: "There is widespread concern over the global economic outlook, and we must factor that risk into our long-term planning. All this together will mean noticeable change to this organization. … These changes will not be easy…" pic.twitter.com/4eKUuitYFv
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 26, 2022
Despite the changes, Licht vowed CNN will “still be the largest, most-respected newsgathering organization in the world.”
“When we emerge on the other side, CNN will be a stronger, more nimble organization ready to weather whatever the global economy throws at us and to grow into the future,” he added.
