IMI Group, a major media house based in Abu Dhabi, has cut jobs across multiple divisions as part of an organisational restructuring. The company has not disclosed the exact number of layoffs but confirmed that affected employees will receive support during the transition.
The restructuring is aimed at optimising operations and directing resources toward areas with growth potential. IMI Group owns several media outlets, including the English daily, The National, the news portal Al Ain News, and broadcasters Sky News Arabia and CNN Business Arabic. The company also holds a minority stake in European news channel Euronews, acquired in 2018.
IMI Group stated that the move aligns with its strategy to strengthen content creation and invest in new media technologies. The decision reflects broader challenges in the media industry, where traditional news organisations struggle against competition from digital giants such as Google and Facebook.
Declining revenues have pushed many media houses globally to rethink their business models. In several Western countries, policymakers have urged technology companies to share revenue earned from content published by news organisations on their platforms.
While IMI has not officially confirmed the scale of layoffs, employees suggest that this is the biggest job cut since the company’s inception. Reports indicate that The National alone has let go of 28 journalists.
Employees from various divisions have reportedly been impacted, including those working in editorial roles. Some affected staff members from The National have also confirmed their departures.
The job cuts highlight the increasing pressures faced by media companies as they adapt to changing market conditions. IMI’s restructuring signals a shift toward digital innovation, and also underscores the tough realities facing traditional journalism in an evolving media landscape.
