by Thinus Ferreira
eMedia Investments' eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel plans to get rid of over half of its video editors and senior video editors by the end of April who were served with Section 189 retrenchment letters on Monday.
According to sources, just 11 out of eNCA's 25 longform and news video editors are safe, with the newsroom that has moved to a system where producers, writers and reporters have to do their own editing, making video editors obsolete.
eNCA planning to axe video editors come as eMedia plans to shutter its etv News & Sport channel on ts Openview satellite service at the end of this month that will see 45 workers lose their jobs. eMedia said the etv News & Sport channel is "no longer viable".
About serving eNCA video editors with Section 189 letters on Monday, eMedia in response to a media query said "We acknowledge your questions and queries, however this is an ongoing, internal
matter that is sensitive and will be facilitated with the utmost respect,
whilst preserving the dignity of our staff".
"The company is committed to all
relevant and applicable labour legislation."
eNCA managing director Norman Munzhelele told video editors that after moving to the new Hyde Park building in late-2021 and with upgrades in broadcasting infrastructure, "the number of video editors in the structure exceeds the operational requirements of the business".
eNCA says that the video editing role and positions are under-utilized or not utilised.
Norman Munzhelele told video editors that the new proposed structure "will realign to deliver high-quality, newsworthy, relevant video content capability where resources - both human resources and technology - and skills/competencies are maximised and productive".
A meeting will be taking place with affected workers on Wednesday afternoon.
