ABC to lay off journalists

(AAP) - The national broadcaster had flagged job losses but says new technology, not the financial crisis, is to blame.

The ABC's director of resources David Cruttenden on Tuesday sent an email to staff
saying "there are expected to be job losses" as new technology is rolled out.
The new system means journalists will become responsible for editing their stories
under a scheme called "desktop editing".
"Journalists will be trained in editing techniques over the coming months, with some
full-time edit shifts being progressively wound back for each program," Mr
Cruttenden said in the email, seen by AAP.
Desktop editing will be rolled out during the next 18 months following the "success"
of a one-year pilot in Victorian newsrooms.
But a media union spokeswoman said it had been anything but a success.
"The trial was about as successful as the foray into Iraq," the spokeswoman said.
"A number of issues were raised during the trial and were completely ignored."
Opposition communications spokesman Nick Minchin said the ABC must explain why it
needed to cut newsroom jobs.
"The ABC provides a fantastic service to Australians and I would be concerned if
there are cutbacks at the ABC and I think the ABC needs to explain exactly why
that's necessary," Senator Minchin told reporters on Wednesday.
The ABC defended the decision, saying it would try to minimise the number of job
losses.
"Potential redundancies will come from production areas," an ABC corporate
spokesperson said.
Senator Minchin told the government to get involved.
"If it is a question of funding, the government should respond accordingly," he said.