CANA Announces Interim Reorganisation Plan

The board of directors of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), owners of the CANA news service, has announced the approval of "interim phased re-organisation plan", under which it will resume additional Caribbean news and programming services.

The cash-strapped company, which was shut down in January, said it would continue to provide broadcast coverage of cricket, the Commonwealth Games and some World Cup related programming.

"The CMC Board has also disclosed that it is currently considering approaches from potential investors, and expects to make an announcement regarding those discussions by the middle of May."

The CMC, which is a merger between the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) and Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), was said to be negotiating a US$2 million aid package from regional governments to restart operations. It submitted a "business plan" to the CARICOM leaders which included pledges of more efficient management of resources and improved print, radio and television services to the Caribbean region.

According to the CMC, the board has also laid off 42 members of staff as part of the reorganisation plan. The Barbados-based company said it would gradually increase its remaining staff core team "as the phased-resumption of services demands."

"The Board has also mandated that where services need to be re-engaged, former staff would be given first consideration."