Cost-cutting measures are in store for both the CBC and the Globe and Mail, where chief executives at both organizations sent memos to all staff last week warning of the need to drop spending.

"Where others are contemplating and predicting layoffs, we are looking to put in place and push forward with solutions that won't involve cutting jobs," said CBC president Hubert Lacroix in his e-mail to employees.

In the statement, Mr. Lacroix said the publicly owned broadcaster would reduce its travel, hospitality, entertainment and overtime expenses. All new CBC hires, he added, will have to get vice-presidential approval before joining the corporation.

The memo was released in a post by CBC Radio employee Paul McGrath on insidethecbc.com, a blog touting itself as the "official" blog of the corporation that is owned and maintained by employees.

The Globe and Mail, which is privately owned by multimedia company CTVGlobemedia Inc., will also take measures to deal with a drop in advertising dollars, according to several media reports.

"By next week, each department head will have revised spending targets designed to offset the drop in revenue," read an all-staff memo from publisher Phillip Crawley.

"The impact of reduced limits on operating and capital expenditures will be felt throughout the company."

He also asked staff to take vacations during the holiday season for "an easy way to help our bottom-line performance."

The economic slowdown has now caused layoffs or slashed spending at most major media organizations in the country.

CTV, a sister corporation to the Globe, announced last week that it will be forced to deliver an unspecified number of layoffs. Also, CanWest Global Communications Corp. (TSX:CGS) said it would shed 560 jobs.

Both announcements came just weeks after a failed bid by broadcasters to charge cable and satellite providers to carry their signals, a move expected to bring in millions of dollars in revenue.

That idea was squashed by the Canadian Radio-television Commission on Oct. 30; in its written decision, it said there was no "conclusive evidence" that broadcasters needed that measure to increase their revenues.

Quebecor Inc. (TSX:QBR.B), another large media corporation, has not yet publicly announced any methods for dealing with the slowdown. In October the organization reported a positive income stream for its third quarter.

Neither has Torstar Corp. (TSX:TS.B), but the owner of the Toronto Star and Harlequin Enterprises reported flat sales and a $2.7-million loss in net income for its third quarter in October.