Big Media Cuts, Again

NBC is looking to cut another $40 million from its news budget.  Sillicon Alley Insider posted the following internal NBC memo, in which the network announces its hiring freeze on all freelancers.:

“Guys — I am sending this out with a heavy heart… [NBC News President] Steve Capus has asked us to forgo the hiring of all Daily Hire & Freelance camera and audio crews for the next three weeks starting tomorrow. The Crews that were scheduled for tomorrow Dec 5th will remain as scheduled, however, beginning Friday Dec 6th all shoots will be considered on a case by case basis. Breaking news will be covered on a case by case basis. This is a company wide mandate that all the bureaus will have to follow.”

NBC News plans to cover breaking news on a “case by case basis?”  Is there any wonder people are frustrated by traditional media.  Maybe if Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears get into trouble again soon the hiring freeze will end?

This is a perfect example of why we are so exciting about the 2008 launch of iConflict.  We won’t have any freelancers to fire, or for that matter, any reporters to fire either.  Instead, we will rely on you - our online community of users - to provide us with content.  Its a new form of journalism, and just wait until you see how well it can work, when iConflict goes live.