Bild is still grappling with the aftermath of the firing of former editor Julian Reichelt. Photo: Bernd von Jutchenka/DPA
Bild, the best-selling German newspaper, is cutting hundreds of jobs and replacing its editors with artificial intelligence (AI) in an attempt to turn things around after a string of sex scandals.
The tabloid newspaper has begun a radical overhaul of its business model as it hopes to stem the decline in readership and rebuild its reputation.
Bild, owned by publishing giant Axel Springer, told employees on Monday that it was laying off employees as part of a shift from print to digital journalism.
The exact number of job cuts has not been released, but is believed to be in the hundreds. Bild announced that many roles will be replaced by artificial intelligence.
In a message to employees seen by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine, executives said the company “unfortunately will part ways with colleagues whose jobs will be replaced by AI.” AI and/or automated processes in the digital world, or those who do not find themselves in this new line-up with their current skills.”
They added: “Roles such as editors, print journalists, proofreaders, there will be no more photo editors and assistants as they are today.”
The tabloid is also merging a number of its regional publications and completely closing small offices.
It comes as Bild struggles to recover from a turbulent period that has hit both finances and reputation.
The newspaper, known for its politically motivated and often sensational reporting, is still grappling with the aftermath of the firing of former editor Julian Reichelt after accusations that he abused his position to force junior employees to sleep with him.Controversial Axel Springer boss Matthias Döpfner says he wants to make Bild “digital only” in the coming years. Photo: Malte Ossowski/SVEN SIMON/DPA
Bild has paid €2m (£1.7m) in compensation to Reichelt, who denied the allegations and is still suing him.
In April, Matthias Döpfner, the media mogul at the helm of Axel Springer, was forced to apologize after leaked text messages revealed his attempts to use Bild to influence the outcome of Germany's latest elections, as well as his views against climate change activism. and “intolerant Muslims.”
Meanwhile, the bosses are trying to stem the decline in viewership for Bild, which dropped to just over 1 million at the end of last year from a peak of 4.5. million at the turn of the millennium.
Axel Springer outlined plans to increase revenue from Bild and sister publication Welt by 100 million euros over the next three years through increased sales and reduced costs.
Mr. Döpfner said he wants to make Bild and Welt “digital”. only” in the coming years with a goal of reaching over 20 million daily online visits by 2026.
The group, whose largest shareholder is private equity giant KKR, is also aiming to expand in the US, where it owns Politico and Insider .
A major overhaul at Bild will reduce the company's total number of regional newspapers from 18 to 12, while a number of city publications will be merged with larger regional publications, and small offices will be closed. .
The cuts were met with criticism from the German Journalists' Association (DJV).
Frank Uberall, federal chairman of the DJV, said: “If Matthias Döpfner wants to slaughter the cash cow, the bands, it's not not only unfair to employees, but also extremely stupid from an economic point of view.
“Less regional reporting means less services for readers and therefore fewer readers.”
Axel Springer contacted for comments.
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