Several leading media outlets across the globe are scaling back their traditional editorial teams, opting for younger, more cost-effective hires as they shift focus towards digital platforms and new technologies.
Two prominent UAE-based English media companies have recently made job cuts, reflecting this worldwide trend, reports Khaleej Times.
On Thursday, Abu Dhabi’s IMI Group, the parent company of The National, announced layoffs across its various divisions, while on Friday, Dubai’s Gulf News confirmed the retrenchment of two senior editors.
This restructuring is part of an ongoing global phenomenon, with CNN, the US-based news network, making headlines on 23 January for its own major restructuring.
Approximately 200 staff members, or six per cent of its workforce, were laid off in a bid to streamline operations.
This decision, the company stated, is intended to focus resources on future growth and adapt to shifting consumption patterns, following significant political upheavals in the US.
Dr Sohail Dahdal, head of the Media Communication Department at the American University of Sharjah, explained that the reductions in traditional media employment can be attributed to two primary factors: Declining profits due to changing media consumption habits, and the rising influence of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, which allow media outlets to cut costs on human resources.
Despite the retrenchments, Dr Dahdal reassured that the future of the media industry is far from bleak.
He stressed that the role of media in society is expanding, albeit in different forms.
"The future of the media sector is secure, but it is imperative that we anticipate these changes and adapt our media education to produce graduates capable of thriving in this evolving landscape," he said.
In a statement to Khaleej Times, IMI Group emphasised its commitment to providing support to affected employees during the transition.
"As part of our strategic review aimed at optimising operations, we must constantly adapt to a rapidly changing market," the company stated.
"This includes directing resources and investments toward areas of growth and future potential."
IMI Group, which publishes The National, operates the news portal Al Ain News, and broadcasts Sky News Arabia and CNN Business Arabic, reaffirmed its focus on strengthening content creation and embracing new media and technological advancements.
The company also pointed out that it had laid off 28 journalists from The National as part of its restructuring process.
As legacy outlets like IMI adjust to the new digital paradigm, the wider media industry is likely to see further shifts in staffing and resource allocation, with a heavy emphasis on innovation and technology in order to secure long-term sustainability.