Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 30, 2009 at 14:56:48:
In Reply to: Firings At CBS2 News Chicago Today! posted by chicagomedia.org on April 30, 2009 at 11:07:21:
CBS 2 cuts staffers to reduce costs, Lum, Zwecker out
April 30, 2009
BY LEWIS LAZARE | Sun-Times Media Columnist
CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 laid off on-air and behind-the-scenes staff Thursday, and management said it will discontinue all its weekend morning newscasts.
Among those laid off Tuesday were entertainment reporter Bill Zwecker (who remains a Sun-Times' columnist) and Joanie Lum, a general assignment reporter at the station since 2003.
The moves are part of the stationšs efforts to cut costs as ad revenues continue to decline.
Several behind-the-scenes staff also were cut, including assistant news director Todd Woolman, news writer and producer Shelly Howell, cameraman Chris Cangilla and producer Liz Johnson.
Zwecker was the last entertainment reporter on staff at any of the network owned-and-operated television stations in Chicago. Zwecker said he was told by management that his dismissal was in no way performance related, but simply due to the need to cut costs.