National

Four newsroom staff at Radio NL in Kamloops are cut in format change

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Sep, 2024 05:31 PM

More than half of the newsroom at Radio NL in Kamloops, B.C., has been let go as the station moves to a music format.

The radio station has had a decades-long grip on news in the Interior and beyond, breaking stories and covering everything from emergencies to courts and city hall.

Today some changes were made at Radio NL in Kamloops to ensure the radio station’s long-term viability and commitment to the community. Instead of programming news/talk around the clock, the station will now include a mix of music, news, sports, and community information. (1)
— RadioNLNews (@RadioNLNews) September 24, 2024

As a result of this difficult decision, some positions were impacted in news and programming. Our remaining news team at Radio NL will continue to provide the most local newscasts throughout the day reflecting all that is important in our community. (2)
— RadioNLNews (@RadioNLNews) September 24, 2024

The closure of RadioNL’s newsroom is just bad news for local journalism. @RadioNLNews has long been a trusted source of information for the community, and @MineerBrett voice has been a steady presence in their lives.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) September 24, 2024

Radio NL news director Paul James says four of seven journalists have been let go, but they will still be maintaining a newsroom.

He says the ability of radio stations, particularly in the smaller communities, to maintain a news-talk operation has become less financially viable.

Radio NL, at 610 on the AM dial, was one of more than 100 licences purchased by Stingray Digital Group Inc. in 2018.

B.C. Premier David Eby says in reaction to the cuts on social media that the decision by the Stingray Group to reduce the newsroom was "just bad for local journalism."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Wildfires tick up with lightning in forecast for B.C.'s southern Interior

The number of active wildfires in British Columbia is increasing after holding below 350 for days as officials warn of lightning in the forecast. There are just under 360 active blazes in B.C., including 25 sparked since Thursday as many areas in the southern part of the province bake under hot and dry conditions.

Wildfires tick up with lightning in forecast for B.C.'s southern Interior

Poilievre calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs, Liberals imply they're already coming

Poilievre made his announcement in front of a few dozen workers at the Stelco steel plant in Hamilton, with steel being one of the products he says China is trying to undermine in Canada. Poilievre said the Chinese government is "exploiting weak labour and environmental standards to produce artificially cheap steel, aluminum and EVs that create more pollution."

Poilievre calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs, Liberals imply they're already coming

B.C. risks 'carpet' of rotting apples without help after co-op's closure: growers

As gala apples ripen on British Columbia's trees, the president of the provincial fruit growers' group worries about a devastating season without a way for farmers to refrigerate their crops. Peter Simonsen of the BC Fruit Growers' Association says without infrastructure provided by the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, which abruptly closed last month, it may not be worth picking this year, leaving a "carpet of apples" on the floor of orchards.

B.C. risks 'carpet' of rotting apples without help after co-op's closure: growers

New database tracks more than 2,100 deaths in custody across Canada since 2000

A new database from a project monitoring law enforcement and corrections in Canada lists more than 2,100 deaths in custody over the past 24 years. Alexander McClelland, associate criminology professor at Carleton University and lead researcher with the Tracking (In)Justice project, says the database was compiled using media reports, provincial data and more than 20 freedom of information requests.

New database tracks more than 2,100 deaths in custody across Canada since 2000

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal says it can hear allegations of online hate speech

British Columbia's Human Rights Tribunal has ruled it has the authority to hear cases about allegations of online hate speech. The tribunal says provincial human rights laws against publications that perpetrate discrimination or hatred fall under the province's jurisdiction, not the federal government's control over telecommunications.

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal says it can hear allegations of online hate speech

BC's unemployment rate second lowest in Canada

B-C's jobs minister says the province is holding steady in the face of high interest rates and slower growth globally, adding nearly 64-thousand jobs in the past year. Brenda Bailey says the unemployment rate is 5.5 per cent, the second lowest among the provinces, while B-C had the highest average hourly wage last month.