By Eric Kallgren
Boulder, Colorado USA
Posted on January 29, 2009 at 2:57pm

WMAQ TV Chicago Restructures Newsroom

-- On January 29, 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported that WMAQ is restructuring its newsroom:

News producers, writers and editors at NBC-owned WMAQ-Ch. 5 were told Wednesday they must reapply for new multi-faceted positions, the demands of which reflect the station's efforts to provide content not just for TV but the Internet, mobile devices and other emerging platforms.

The new jobs -- with titles such as platform manager and content producer -- are to be posted beginning Thursday, not just for internal candidates but outsiders as well.

Station management did not provide a number of all those employees affected by the change, or how many positions ultimately will be in the place when the changeover is completed in around six months, but insisted this was not about reducing costs so much as addressing changes in the media landscape.

Although writers and editors are currently covered by a National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians contract with the station, the new positions would be exempt. Ray W. Taylor, president of NABET Local 41, said the union was notified of WMAQ's plans Monday afternoon and, with its lawyers, is reviewing the situation in advance of a meeting with membership scheduled for Feb. 4.

On-air anchors and reporters and field crews are not included in the changes.

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