Layoffs at ABC News Radio

As we mentioned Monday, rumors are flying that Citadel Media is cutting programming and staff – sooner rather than later. This time Citadel confirms that a number of staffers – across the board, including management – at the ABC News Radio division were given layoff notices Tuesday. Among them are longtime network news vets Robert Garcia (Executive Director, News & Sports) and Peter Salinger (Director, Special Events & Sports).

A senior executive at ABC News Radio tells RBR-TVBR:  "The reductions primarily focused on writers, engineers and managers. It won’t affect our very high levels of affiliate service. [Today], radio listeners will still wake up to hear the same staff of award-winning reporters covering breaking news:  Aaron Katersky, Alex Stone, Ann Compton, Steven Portnoy, Matt Gutman, Vic Ratner, Linda Albin.  

Our crisis coverage still is the best. Affiliates are receiving the same number of newscasts as before. Affiliates will receive the same quantity of news audio as before…still updated continuously on our web site. Our high number of  two-ways for key affiliates will continue. It’s unfortunate because the people affected are all world-class journalists but changes had to be made to reflect what’s happening in the radio business."

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