Big names from CTV National News axed amid Bell Media layoffs
CTV National News is going to look very different after many of its big-name reporters and producers were axed amid the Bell Media layoffs.
BCE Inc. President and CEO Mirko Bibic announced that the company is cutting 1,300 positions and closing, or selling nine of its radio stations across Canada on Wednesday.
Employees were informed of the layoffs and closures this morning. It involves a 6% cut at Bell Media, which includes CTV, specialty TV channels, radio stations, and production studios.
“While we are eliminating roles in areas where demand and revenue are declining, we are continuing to invest in key growth areas,” stated Bibic.
One of the hardest-hit newsrooms amid the layoffs is CTV National News.
With many high-profile names axed from the team, the losses definitely won’t go unnoticed by viewers.
Several bios for reporters and producers on the team were already updated on the CTV site to say the employee is “no longer with the company.”
Here are the top journalists you’ll no longer see on CTV National News.
Tom Walters — CTV National News Los Angeles Bureau Chief
Bell Media
Walters has covered everything in the US from California’s worst wildfires to presidential elections to the Oscars. Before his stint as CTV’s LA Bureau chief, he was a producer at W5 and the news director at CTV Vancouver.
Richard Madan — Washington Bureau Correspondent
Bell Media
Madan has been based in Washington, DC since 2016 to keep Canadians in the know about US-Canada political relations. He was usually positioned at the White House.
Madan’s bio does not include a note saying he is no longer with the company. His lay off was confirmed in a tweet from CTV National News Alberta reporter Bill Fortier.
Daniele Hamamdjian — London News Bureau Correspondent
Bell Media
After joining CTV National News in 2009, Hamamdjian moved to London to be the news bureau correspondent for the UK. There she covered a variety of stories including the war in Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis, the deaths and funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Brexit negotiations, and more.
Paul Workman — CTV National News Chief International Correspondent
Bell Media
The veteran journalist has covered many stories as the international correspondent based in London. From the war in the Middle East to revolutionary changes in Eastern Europe, and the tragic death of Princess Diana, Workman has kept Canadians informed for over 30 years.
Joyce Napier — Ottawa Bureau Chief
Bell Media
Napier became the Ottawa bureau chief in March 2016, spearheading coverage on elections, Conservative and Liberal party conventions, the legalization of cannabis and assisted dying, and more.
Glen McGregor — Senior Political Correspondent
Bell Media
McGregor joined the team in January 2016 and quickly became a trusted reporter for political news. He broke stories that led to the Canadian Senate expense scandal, the “Robocalls” investigation, MP Dean Del Mastro’s conviction, and more.
Rosa Hwang — CTV National News Executive Producer
Last, but certainly not least, is the woman who got the show to air. Hwang first joined the national team in 2011, producing Lloyd Robertson’s final newscast in the anchor chair. She was promoted to executive producer in 2018.
Hwang was Lisa LaFlamme’s longtime producer before the news anchor was ousted from the company.
She opened up about the lay off late Wednesday evening in a tweet, thanking her colleagues.
Yes, it’s true. My relationship with CTV News ended today. But reminder — my relationship with my former CTV News colleagues did not. I’m proud of the work we did together, but I’m even prouder of the lifelong friendships formed. Thank you all.
— Rosa Hwang | 황지연 (@journorosa) June 14, 2023
With files from Allison Stephen
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