View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Sun ends photographer contracts in Manchester office

By Gavriel Hollander

The Sun has terminated the contracts of three photographers working in its Manchester office.

The trio had been taken on last April when the paper set up a Manchester base eight years after closing its last office in the city. Although they were never on staff, they had each been given rolling contracts, guaranteeing five days’ work a week and paid holidays.

It is understood that the photographers were given a week’s notice that their contracts would end towards the end of last month in a “cost-saving measure”.

Photography work in the north of England is now being commissioned by northern news editor Guy Patrick and deputy Richard Moriarty.

Staff photographer Jim Clarke, who was in charge of assigning work to The Sun’s photographers, is now thought to be taking on more day-to-day jobs himself.

When the office, The Sun also took on four full-time reporters. It is not yet known whether any will be affected by similar cost-cutting measures.

A Sun spokesperson said: “We’re proud to be the UK’s only national newspaper with an office in Manchester. Photographers have only ever been used in a freelance capacity and there are no plans to change this approach.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network