New England Public Media in western Massachusetts laid off seven employees Wednesday, according to a statement from spokesperson Vanessa Cerillo.
The cuts affected full- and part-time workers in development, content, administration and operations, the statement said.
“NEPM is committed to providing award-winning news and conversation, high quality educational programming, music and more to the people of western Massachusetts — all for free,” the statement said. “Like many media companies, though, we are navigating through a challenging financial environment. Despite our fiscal discipline, expenses continue to outpace revenue.”
“These changes will help ensure NEPM’s long-term sustainability so we can keep delivering this vital community service,” the statement said.
Cerillo did not provide specific figures, but the joint licensee’s consolidated financial statement showed a deficit of more than $2.17 million between its operating expenses and operating revenues and other support for the year ending in June 2023. The deficit for the previous fiscal year was more than $4.67 million.
In March 2023, NEPM laid off 17 full- and part-time workers, citing financial headwinds that started during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the earlier round of NEPM job cuts, Current has tracked more than 500 public media jobs lost to layoffs and buyouts.