A timeline tracking closures, cutbacks, buyouts and management changes affecting journalists, news organisations and publishers.
Created by Journalismcouk on 04/01/2010
Last updated: 20/10/10 at 00:15
As The New York Times Co. was announcing Thursday that it grew revenue in Q2, up north the new owners of Canwest Limited Partnership were reporting Canada’s biggest group of English-language dailies also managed to bump up the top line by 1% -- even as digital media revenue declined.
Oh, and while the papers such as the Montreal Gazette and Ottawa Citizen were under creditors protection in the nation’s equivalence of bankruptcy.
Postmedia Network Inc., the investors group headed by Canadian newspaper legend Paul Godfrey, reported in Canwest’s fiscal third-quarter revenue ticked up 1% to C$270 million and operating income before amortization and restructuring expenses jumped 13% to C$51 million. (You do the math! C$1 = US$0.96)
Newspaper revenue rose 1% while digital media dropped 16%. Now some of that was because of how Canwest changed the allocation of digital among reporting segments. But get this, from the Canwest/Postmedia release: “The overall increase in revenue was primarily due to increased advertising revenues.”
U.S. publishers, please feel free to try that at home.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/FitzBlog/post/2010/07/22/Another-Newspaper-Chain-Grows-The-Top-Line-With-A-Twist.aspx
Detroit
Owner: Archdiocese of Detroit
Effective: July 7, 2010
Nearly half of the paper’s 12-person staff was laid off. The weekly paper’s publication schedule has also been cut to twice a month. The Archdiocese of Detroit announced in September it was cutting the paper’s annual subsidy. “When we looked at the numbers, we really didn’t have a choice,” archdiocese director of communications Ned McGrath told the Detroit Free Press of the layoffs. “They were key players in our accomplishments over the years. They did a heck of a job.”
Source: Detroit Free Press
http://newspaperlayoffs.com/2010/07/michigan-catholic-5/
Naples, Fla.
Owner: The E.W. Scripps Co.
Effective: Feb. 16, 2010
At least seven editorial, advertising and marketing employees were laid off.
Sources: Paper Cuts tip
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2oVxrDL-BKY
Longview, Texas
Owner: ASP Westward
Effective: Jan. 21, 2010
The paper laid off 12 percent of its staff, including editor Ana Walker. “It is always difficult to make these decisions, particularly when it affects valued, long-time employees,” publisher Gary Borders said in a story published on the paper’s website. “But this will better position the newspaper to meet [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=4-h0FeFVQAg
Charlotte, N.C.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Effective: Jan. 19, 2010
Publisher Ann Caulkins said 25 employees will be laid off, including 11 full-time newsroom employees. “The revenue decline is lessening, but the change is very gradual,” Caulkins said in a story published on the Observer website. “While we see some signs of improvement in our business, the revenue [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2hS6bEPo5V8
Riverside, Calif.
Owner: A.H. Belo Corp.
Effective: Jan. 13, 2010
2 newsroom employees were laid off.
Source: Gary Scott
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2DinQce_SBI
Raleigh, N.C.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Effective: Jan. 11, 2010
A memo from publisher Orage Quarles III said 21 positions would be cut. Buyouts are being offered; if there are not enough volunteers, layoffs will follow.
Source: Romenesko; News & Observer via Paper Cuts tip
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/2010/01/news-observer-21/
Raleigh, N.C.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Effective: Jan. 11, 2010
A memo from publisher Orage Quarles III said 21 positions would be cut. Buyouts are being offered; if there are not enough volunteers, layoffs will follow.
Source: Romenesko; News & Observer via Paper Cuts tip
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=-zZmwvchGZk
Paper Cuts now has a Facebook page. So far you can find links to blog posts, but I would like to add other information to the Facebook page — maybe something that’s “special to Facebook.” In fact, if you have suggestions on what you’d like to see there, leave a comment or send me an [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=4fNO01sZqqA
Kalamazoo, Mich.
Owner: Booth Newspapers, which is owned by Advance Publications
Effective: Mid-February 2010
Advertising production will be outsourced to a Pennsylvania company. An outbound call center for the The Grand Rapids Press, Muskegon Chronicle and Kalamazoo Gazette will be consolidated in Kalamazoo, and copy editing, design and printing for the three papers will be consolidated in Grand [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=0Ixk033srlA
Hudson, N.H.
Owner: Independent Publications
Effective: Jan. 6, 2010
An unknown number of employees were laid off. Can you help with the details? Leave a comment or e-mail me at newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com.
Source: Paper Cuts tip
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=5LI3zZ_kvRM
Minneapolis
Owner: Avista Capital Partners
Effective: Jan. 20, 2009
Buyouts are being offered, and will likely be followed by layoffs. The company wants to cut about 30 newsroom positions. A memo from editor Nancy Barnes says no reporter or editor positions will be cut; the copy editors, photographers, artists and assistants will be targeted. In November 2009, Barnes [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=1Tjfc8AAaFs
St Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: Aug. 20, 2009
4 support employees were laid off in the newsroom. (The managing editor and deputy managing editor for features also recently announced they were resigning.)
14 full-time and 4 part-time employees were laid off, including 4 newsroom employees. (The managing editor and deputy managing editor for features also recently announced [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=6_M9jtc-K4U
Coral Gables, Fla.
Owner: Limestone Communications Inc.
Effective: Aug. 12, 2009
The weekly paper has stopped publishing a print edition. It will continue online at cggazette.com.
Source: Editor & Publisher
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=7FUSTBNVf_Q
Kansas City, Mo.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Announced: Aug. 11, 2009
Buyouts are being offered; a target number was not released. Employees also must take a one-week unpaid furlough by the end of the year. Wages will remain frozen through the end of the year.
Source: The Kansas City Star Kansas City Star institutes furlough program for most employees
By DAN [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=0ewDHtWbPDY
Augusta, Maine
Owner: MaineToday Media Inc.
Effective: Sept. 1, 2009
Printing will be outsourced to the Portland Press Herald. Buyouts are being offered.
Source: Editor & Publisher
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=45zwIZ-6Xwk
Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: Aug. 11, 2009
Printing will be outsourced to the LaCrosse Tribune.
Source: Lee Watch
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=6P2AJ0S54oc
Mansfield, Ohio
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
7 employees were laid off.
Source: Gannettoid
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=3345
Bucyrus, Ohio
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
1 employee was laid off.
Source: Gannettoid
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=3339
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
“At least 2″ employees were laid off.
Source: Gannett Blog
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=3306
Visalia, Calif.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
1 photographer who worked for the Tulare Advance-Register and the Visalia Times-Delta was laid off. Hours for 6 full-time employees were cut to part-time status.
Source: Gannettoid
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=8JczwQ3vLxE
Pensacola, Fla.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
3 employees were laid off. 1 open position was eliminated.
Source: Gannettoid
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=6UyKyqjKk0Y
Tallahassee, Fla.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
26 jobs were cut.
Source: Gannett Blog
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=0VT5btA-YZo
Shreveport, La.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
9 jobs were cut.
Source: Gannett Blog
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=1IWHRedeQx4
Appleton, Wis.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
3 jobs were cut.
Source: Gannett Blog
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=4QSg_UwR4eA
New York
Owner: HX Media LLC
Effective: June 30, 2009
The 12-year-old biweekly paper has closed.
Source: New York Times New York Gay Newspaper Suspends Publication
By JENNIFER 8. LEE
Published: July 1, 2009
The New York Blade, one of the two major gay and lesbian newspapers in New York City, has laid off its editor in chief and suspended publication, the chief [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=4iVCdTqRl0s
Boston
Owner: Independent
Effective: July 7, 2009
The 44-year-old weekly paper has closed. Its 12 employees were laid off.
Source: The Associated Press
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=5zCImBn81zc
Cincinnati
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 9, 2009
In a memo, Publisher Margaret Buchanan said up to 100 employees will be laid off.
Source: City Beat
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=3133
Valley View, Ohio
Owner: Advance Publications
Effective: Aug. 10, 2009
115 full- and part-time employees, including 30 reporters, 15 editors and 26 ad reps, will be laid off and half of the chain’s 22 weekly papers will close.
Source: Crain’s Cleveland Business via Fading to Black Sun Newspapers to terminate 115 employees
By KATHY AMES CARR
11:33 am, June 23, 2009
Sun Newspapers [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=4tlldrUiRMs
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=6bd7LtWI4_A
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=fL29g0ppI7A
Bellingham, Wash.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Effective: June 8, 2009
5 employees were laid off, including 1 from the newsroom. Remaining employees must take a weeklong unpaid furlough by September.
Source: The News Tribune The Bellingham Herald announces staff cuts, Skagit print date
DAVE GALLAGHER; THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
Published: 06/08/09 3:30 pm | Updated: 06/08/09 [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=5mGatwgh4RU
Tampa, Fla.
Owner: Media General
Effective: May 27, 2009
15 employees have been laid off so far; more layoffs are expected.
17 full-time Tampa Tribune newsroom employees were laid off, and 60 non-newsroom Florida Communications Group employees were laid off.
Sources: Tampa Tribune; Paper Cuts tip
* Updated May 27, 2009, with additional layoffs and details. Tribune, TBO.com, News Channel 8 cut [...]
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=3041
Tampa, Fla.
Owner: Media General
Effective: May 27, 2009
15 employees have been laid off so far; more layoffs are expected.
17 full-time newsroom employees were laid off.
Sources: Tampa Tribune; Paper Cuts tip
* Updated May 27, 2009, with additional layoffs and details. Tribune, TBO.com, News Channel 8 cut staff
By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 27, 2009
TAMPA - The [...]
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=3041
Detroit
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: June 22, 2009
“Roughly 25″ employees will be laid off, including an unknown number of editorial employees.
Source: The Associated Press
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2K-lfQ0t-TI
New York
Owner: The Associated Press is a co-op owned by contributing newspapers, TV and radio stations.
Effective: July 13, 2009
Buyouts are being offered.
Source: Editor & Publisher The Associated Press Offers Buyouts
By Joe Strupp
Published: May 19, 2009 1:00 PM ET
NEW YORK — The Associated Press is quietly offering buyouts that include $500 for each year of service and [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2LOnV42N27w
Milford, N.H.
Owner: Peter Bragdon
Effective: March 10, 2009
The twice-monthly paper has suspended publication. Publisher/New Hampshire Sen. Peter Bragdon said he would consider starting the paper again in September.
Source: The Cabinet via Fading to Black Business: Milford Observer suspends publication
By Kathy Cleveland
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, Apr. 23, 2009
MILFORD – In 2007, when Peter Bragdon was still a low-ranking [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=38myyKKBokE
Indianapolis
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: 2008
At least 178 employees have been laid off since August. Previous Paper Cuts reports accounted for only 74 of those layoffs: 8 in April 2009
42 in December 2008
1 in September 2008
23 in August 2008 Source: Indianapolis Business Journal Star plans more cuts as Gannett profit falls
Thu. April 16 - 2009
Anthony Schoettle - [...]
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=2648
Chicago
Owner: Sun-Times Media Group
Effective: April 17, 2009
The managing editor, business editor and 4 other newsroom employees were laid off, as well as an unknown number of advertising employees.
Source: Chicago Tribune Sun-Times parent cuts jobs to reduce payroll 15%
By Sandra M. Jones | Tribune reporter
5:52 PM CDT, April 17, 2009
The Sun-Times Media Group cut an undisclosed number [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=8Q9pGZEw6yM
Yarmouth Port, Mass.
Owner: GateHouse Media Inc.
Effective: April 30, 2009
The weekly paper will close.
Source: The Enterprise via Fading to Black GateHouse shuts down seven free Mass. weeklies
NEEDHAM – GateHouse Media plans to stop publishing seven free weeklies in the state as the company seeks to focus on its other newspapers in the communities those papers serve. The [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=1XKH-HqrZr8
Milwaukee
Owner: Journal Communications
Effective: April 6, 2009
26 full-time and 5 part-time employees were laid off. A plan to cut wages by 6 percent for the rest of the year was announced one week earlier.
Source: The Business Journal of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lays off 31 workers
Monday, April 6, 2009, 5:14pm CDT | Modified: Tuesday, April 7, [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2PeUoPLXNsQ
Lebanon, Penn.
Owner: MediaNews Group
Effective: April 2009
Printing will be outsourced to the York Daily Record. 7 jobs will be eliminated.
Source: WHTM via Paper Cuts tip Major Change At Lebanon Daily News
posted 03/31/09 10:19 pm Lebanon, Pa. - The Lebanon Daily News will stop printing at its current location beginning next month.
David Smith, publisher of Daily News, said [...]
http://graphicdesignr.net/papercuts/?p=2479
Las Vegas
Owner: Stephens Media Group
Effective: January 2009
2 employees were laid off: A photo editor and a listings editor
Source: Paper Cuts comment
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=4f--c7i_6p8
Abilene, Texas
Owner: E.W. Scripps Co.
Effective: March 26, 2009
Design and copy editing for 4 Texas papers have been consolidated at the Caller-Times in Corpus Christi.
Source: The Caller-Times via Paper Cuts tip Caller-Times to become regional editing, design site
19 employees laid off; The Business Journal of Corpus Christi and The Business Times of the Rio Grande Valley to [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=27HK5BmP3fo
Saginaw, Mich.
Owner: Advance Publications
Effective: June 4, 2009
The daily paper will cut its publication days to Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Source: The Saginaw News The Saginaw News to publish thrice weekly, online all the time
by Corey Mitchell | The Saginaw News
Tuesday March 24, 2009, 8:12 AM
The Saginaw News’ decision to cut its print editions from seven days to [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=68vTC-GhBR8
Fort Smith, Ark.
Owner: Stephens Media Group
Effective: October 2008
16 employees were laid off.
Source: Paper Cuts tip
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=5V44ZMg0bMk
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Owner: Advance Publications
Effective: July 2009
The paper will close in July; all employees will be laid off.
Sources: Ann Arbor News; Paper Cuts tips Ann Arbor News decision to close shocks, saddens employees
by Cindy Heflin | The Ann Arbor News
Monday March 23, 2009, 7:45 PM
Ann Arbor News employees expressed shock and grief upon learning Monday that [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=2O4BuF30iz0
Pinckneyville, Ill.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Effective: March 26, 2009
The 140-year-old weekly paper will close. The paper’s reporter and ad rep were laid off.
Source: KFVS via Paper Cuts tip; Du Quin Evening Call via McClatchy Watch 140-Year-Old Pinckneyville Democrat Ceases Publication
By John H. Croessman
Du Quoin Evening Call
Thu Mar 19, 2009, 12:08 PM CDT
Pinckneyville, Ill. - You tend to [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=1eLsxe7St1s
Davenport, Iowa
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: January 2009
At least 2 corporate employees — both working for Lee’s interactive media division — were laid off. Other corporate employees may have been laid off too.
Source: Paper Cuts tip
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=3HM8Tcx7vdM
Washington, D.C.
Owner: Media General Inc.
Effective: March 27, 2009
The Washington, D.C., bureau will close; 6 journalists will be laid off.
Sources: Editor & Publisher and Paper Cuts tip Media General to Close D.C. Bureau, Lay Off Six
By E&P Staff
Published: March 13, 2009 12:50 PM ET
NEW YORK — Media General is shuttering its Washington D.C. bureau ending a 30-year [...]
http://www.dipity.com/Journalismcouk/personal?eid=-MyqrpLMh8g
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