CNN PH employees get severance pay
THE day that CNN Philippines employees were informed that their company would shut down was also the day that they lined up to get their severance pay.
One editor said that management offered a “nice” separation package.
Local media news channel CNN Philippines (CNN PH) announced on Jan. 29, 2024 that it would cease operations on Jan. 31, 2024 due to “significant financial losses sustained over the years.”
“CNN PH will discontinue operations on all media platforms effective Wednesday, January 31, 2024. A trusted source of news and information, CNN Philippines is accessible on free-to-air TV, cable and digital platforms,” CNN PH said.
“To our staff, we thank you for your commitment and dedication. To our partners, including CNN Worldwide, and Turner Broadcasting, we thank you for your support. And to our viewers, our sincerest gratitude for your loyalty and trust over the nine years,” it added.
An employee who refused to be named said they were called for a general assembly on Monday, January 29.
“President Benjie (Nine Media Corp. President Benjamin Ramos) officially announced it to us. Honestly, we were expecting it already,” he said.
On Monday, employees were given their severance package and their salary for the whole month of February.
“Despite this development, CNN Philippines was doing everything to ensure our well-being,” another employee who refused to be identified said.
Some personnel took to social media to thank CNN PH and give their thoughts and narrate their experiences with the media network.
“I am really thankful that you gave a chance to a person like me to do what I have always wanted to do... Through the articles we’ve written and photos we’ve shared. I’m proud to have been part of this team. I can only express eternal thanks, gratitude and love. CNN PH will be gone, but its legacy of giving opportunities to those who want to live a dream and make it real will forever be etched in our memories,” former CNN PH reporter Paolo Barcelon said in his post on social media.
“I am very happy and grateful to CNN PH for a great run of nine years. I am grateful that I was able to serve the company as its anchor on several shows,” CNN PH Senior Anchor Rico Hizon said in a chance interview.
“CNN PH is indeed a loss for Philippine media, but it is what it is and it is what you have seen in our media advisory. It is sad and emotional for me and 300 of my colleagues affected by this but right now, all of us are exploring new avenues in our careers and I wish all of them the best,” he added.