The Independent on Sunday's arts critics are to be axed amid a round of cuts at the newspaper group.
Music critic Anna Picard is among seven journalists who are understood to have been given notice by the group. Iit is thought that these job losses are in addition to the paper's planned 27 compulsory redundancies.
Independent art critic Tom Sutcliffe announced he was leaving the paper on Twitter this weekend.
Independent on Sunday editor Lisa Markwell has denied a report on the blog of Norman Lebrecht that the paper will replace its critics by running a digest of other newspapers’ reviews.
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She told Press Gazette: “[T]he arts critics have been made redundant from their current contracts, but arts coverage will continue and it is hoped they will contribute.”
Laura Davison, the NUJ’s assistant organiser, said: “It’s disappointing that management at The Independent are failing to engage in proper consultation with their journalists.
“These cuts are being pushed through, loyal contributors axed without warning and staff are not being given the opportunity to discuss alternatives and address their concerns over the impact on quality content.
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“It's time for the company to listen to their staff and engage properly in a genuine consultation process."
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