27 Sep 2018

Redundancies not ruled out as Stuff-NZME merger rejected

From Morning Report, 8:45 am on 27 September 2018

Media company Stuff's chief executive Sinead Boucher says she can't rule out redundancies after the proposed merger with NZME was rejected. But she says she's looking to the company's new businesses - which includes an energy retailer - to help finance their journalism.

The Court of Appeal turned down the proposed merger between Stuff and NZME on Tuesday and gave its reasons on Wednesday.

It said a merger could lead to fewer journalists, reduced quality and fewer voices in the news. Stuff's chief executive Sinead Boucher says they'll now focus on building up Stuff and the new businesses they have. Ms Boucher speaks to Susie Ferguson.

After the interview she sent an email to clarify the details of the possible job losses in Waikato. She writes: "We do not have any plans to cut 20 staff from Waikato. Instead there is a proposal which would impact six staff there, both managers and reporters. It is still at proposal stage so this may well change."