Cuts to Citynews staff, the concern of the Order of Journalists and Assostampa Sicilia

The Order of Journalists of Sicily expresses "deep concern for the cuts made to the staff of Citynews. This without any prior notice and, moreover, after the company had assured the Editorial Committee that journalists would not be affected by the ongoing cost-saving plan, related to budget issues and the fine received from Inps." "At a time of crisis affecting the entire sector - says a note - The Order of Journalists of Sicily expresses solidarity with the colleagues who were laid off as well as with those who remain and will be forced to work understaffed; it also expresses the hope that the company will take a step back, because our sector cannot afford to lose more jobs, resulting in a further weakening of free and professional information." The Sicilian Assostampa "fully expresses solidarity with the two journalists from Palermo Today who were laid off by the Citynews group".

"The decision, which has led to four layoffs at the national level and a reduction in journalistic collaborations - says Assostampa - was justified by the company with the need to reduce costs, particularly after the fine from Inps for applying a employment contract different from the most representative journalistic one for social security purposes. While understanding the complexity of the situation, this union calls on the Citynews group to reconsider its decisions and to take all necessary actions to ensure job levels".

The Editorial Committee of Tgr Rai Sicily also expresses concern over the layoffs. "The termination of the employment relationship - says the Cdr - came after the CityNews group's decision to cut costs following a fine imposed by Inps. The downsizing of a territorial information presence like the CityNews group's publications is concerning because it compresses press freedom, a fundamental pillar of democracy, and fits into a broader context of reducing journalistic spaces in the country. To the two laid-off reporters and to all the colleagues from PalermoToday and the CityNews group, the solidarity of the Cdr of Tgr Rai Sicily goes".