rising layoffs:

Collapsing revenues, rising layoffs: the coronavirus crisis is battering media outlets across Africa that were already struggling for cash and often facing pressure from hostile authorities.

The news of cutbacks was sudden and painful for journalists at two of Nigeria’s most popular independent newspapers when bosses from The Punch and Vanguard made their announcements last month.

“It was a rude shock for me because I didn’t do anything wrong to warrant such treatment,” one Punch veteran told AFP, asking not to be named as he was still owed a “token” payoff.

The redundancies were just the latest to hit Nigeria’s …