TV CUTS: Local newsrooms given axe

LOCAL jobs have been lost after the WIN Network announced the closure of five regional newsrooms.

The network will cease producing local news bulletins after next Friday in Wide Bay, Albury, Orange, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.

This includes the Hervey Bay and Bundaberg newsrooms.

A WIN network spokeswoman said the decision was based on the commercial viability of funding news in these areas.

"Changing content consumption habits and increased competition from digital content providers, that don't face the same regulatory conditions that challenge traditional media, has led to a reduction in demand for local news bulletins in these regions," she said.

The spokeswoman said WIN was working with the staff impacted to redeploy them into other roles in the network.

It is still unknown how many local jobs have been impacted but the cuts.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said he was disapointed by the news.   "My thoughts go out to the hard-working reporters, camera operators and editors in both Hervey Bay and Bundaberg who have lost their jobs. Regional newsrooms are a training ground for young media professionals and that must continue," he said.   "Unfortunately, the media landscape is rapidly changing as more people are getting their news from non-traditional mediums.   "Local content is extremely important for people in regional areas and must be maintained. Local content ensures people are informed about what is happening in their own communities, and small regional businesses rely on their local broadcasters to advertise their products and services without the capital city advertising rates."