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NBC News has reportedly fired multiple journalists responsible for verticals dedicated to diverse communities. According to The Wrap, 150 staffers were laid off on Wednesday (Oct. 15), impacting NBC BLK, NBC Asian America, NBC Latino, and NBC OUT, which covers LGBTQ+ news. The newsroom will still publish stories that relate to the specific groups; however, it will no longer employ specific teams.

The outlet reported that five staffers will allegedly remain to contribute coverage on the verticals to the newsroom. As noted by The Wrap, the downsizing accounted for about 7% of NBC News’ newsroom of about 2,000 staffers and 2% of the wider NBCU News Group. A source claimed the layoffs “did not target specific teams and were driven by the network’s budget and the desire to streamline its editorial efforts.”

NBC News
Stage preparation continues for tomorrow’s Democratic presidential debate at Paris Las Vegas on February 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 36,000 Nevada Democrats turned out during the first three days of early voting for the upcoming Nevada Democratic presidential caucus, which concluded today. Nevada is the first caucus state to offer early voting.
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The alleged layoffs come as NBC News parent company NBCUniversal prepares to spin off MSNBC and CNBC into the new company Versant amid shifts.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, MSNBC and CNBC separated from NBC News. NBC News, MSNBC, and CNBC are currently all part of the NBC News Group, led by Cesar Conde. NBC News employees impacted by the cuts are reportedly being given 60 days’ notice, as well as a severance package and outplacement services.

A source informed THR that the layoffs were powered by multiple factors, including that “NBC News will no longer be providing newsgathering capabilities for CNBC and MSNBC, as well as broader concerns around the overall economic environment for the media sector.”

VIBE has contacted representatives from NBC News for a statement regarding the layoffs.