Reports are emerging that the The Chicago Sun-Times has laid off its entire photo staff.
According to The Chicago Tribune, 20 full-time staffers in the photo department received layoff notices Thursday. In a statement shared with its chief competitor, the Sun-Times said it was looking to shift more resources to video and other multimedia elements (where, it should be noted, there are greater opportunities for advertising revenue growth):
"The Sun-Times business is changing rapidly and our audiences are consistently seeking more video content with their news. We have made great progress in meeting this demand and are focused on bolstering our reporting capabilities with video and other multimedia elements. The Chicago Sun-Times continues to evolve with our digitally savvy customers, and as a result, we have had to restructure the way we manage multimedia, including photography, across the network."
The Sun-Times did not immediately return multiple calls for comment.
According to the Tribune, the Sun-Times will rely on freelancers for its photography needs going forward. Erika Enigk Grotto, a freelance writer and editor based in Chicago, tweeted that reporters will also be relying on their phones to supply photos:
The @suntimes laid off the company's entire photo staff this morning. Reporters will be shooting with their phones. Solid business decision.— Erika Enigk Grotto (@Bewarika) May 30, 2013
The Sun-Times is the flagship paper of the privately held Sun-Times Media Group. Faced with declining advertising and circulation revenues, the company declared bankruptcy in 2009. Wrapports LLC agreed to acquire the group in December 2011.