Newspaper job cut plans attacked

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has criticised job cuts on the daily paper in Colchester as an attack on the independent cultural life of Essex.

The NUJ said owner of the Colchester Gazette - Newsquest - has told staff the firm plans to axe the position of editor and up to 13 editorial jobs.

Management and sub-editing of the newspaper will be moved 40 miles (64km) away to Basildon.

Newsquest and the Gazette were unavailable for comment.

'Pressure and stress'

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said the, "independent cultural life of this proud community is being attacked".

Mr Dear, who began his career as a journalist in Essex, said: "The daily paper in the area will effectively be an edition of the Basildon publication.

"To cut 14 out of 50 editorial jobs in North Essex will leave journalists there - and in Basildon - under greater pressure and stress."

The group of NUJ members in Colchester - the chapel - will meet next Monday evening, and the chapel in Basildon on Tuesday.