Squeezed, newspapers try to adapt
After another round of shakeups over the past week, the newspaper industry continued its adjustment to changing patterns of media consumption and rising fuel and production prices.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) will cut 189 jobs between August and October — 8% of its workforce — through buyouts and layoffs. In an effort to cut costs and assert its focus on metro Atlanta, the paper will also cut four news sections that cover local suburbs.
“[Our strategy is] to responsibly manage our print business, grow our digital business and control costs,” explained Jennifer Morrow, external communications manager for the AJC. “Print is still key to our strategy.”
The company is investing $30 million in press enhancements to add more color to its issues.
The Wall Street Journal is also cutting jobs and sections of its newsroom. Fifty positions will be eliminated, along with the global news, global copy, global pagination, monitor and standalone WSJ.com editing desks.
Gannett Co., publisher of USA Today and various local papers, has been trimming jobs throughout the quarter, most recently with a 54 person cut at the Honolulu Advertiser. The publisher reported a preliminary 36% drop in earnings for Q2 — mostly due to weak ad revenue.
Tribune Co. also cut 100 positions at its Baltimore Sun through buyouts, layoffs and attrition.
