As you may know the ABC are trying to adapt to digital delivery of content and have cut back on some traditional regional offerings. They are also embarking on a restructure, cutting management positions.
Fairfax are maintaining management and getting rid of journos hoping to outsource more by paying per story rather than per word typed.
Probably trying to get some value out of the company to satisfy shareholders.
The op's story says the ABC will employ two specialist people with weather experience for rural stories. (after announcing up to 200 management job cuts)
e.g.
http://careers.abc.net.au/caw/en/job/497909/senior-producer-weather
About ABC Regional
ABC Regional provides a national voice for the one third of Australians who live outside our capital cities. At a time when the regional presence of commercial media is shrinking, the ABC's role is more important than ever. ABC Regional's more than 400 staff prepare and present almost 1,000 hours of live local programming every week, while linking the stories, people and conversations of regional communities to local, national and international audiences through broadcast, online and mobile services.
About the Role
The ABC is looking for a senior producer to contribute towards the delivery of quality weather content for digital and broadcast platforms across the ABC.
You will be responsible for delivering the ABC's vision for ABC Weather on multiple platforms, ensuring that all editorial goals and key audience outcomes are met.
You'll also;
- Assist in editorial, production and financial management of ABC Weather
- Identify new opportunities for weather content
- Maintain a high level knowledge of developments and current issues in weather and environmental science
- Work with other ABC Divisions and external partners to build relationships, and explore new content opportunities
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-07/michelle-guthrie-unveils-abc-restructure-plan/8330878
The ABC has announced a significant restructure, cutting up to 200 jobs to create a $50 million Content Fund and new positions in regional areas.
Managing director Michelle Guthrie has announced the ABC will cut management positions by an average of 20 per cent across the organisation. Other positions will go as part of an attempt to reduce duplication in support roles.
Up to 200 staff will leave the ABC by June this year as a result of moves to reduce management, cut support roles and remove duplication, she said.
Money from the Content Fund, building to $15 million per year, will be used to pay for up to 80 new positions in regional areas, within 18 months. They will be aimed at increasing the ABC's digital and video output from rural and regional Australia.
Ms Guthrie said the Content Fund would be established using savings from staff reductions.
She said $20 million would be made available immediately, building to $50 million a year.
