Winter Blues

Some news from national SPJ HQ to update you on over break:

No good news to be had anywhere, I guess - with an auto industry bailout up in the air and banks still struggling to stay in their seats on the current economic roller coaster, it should come as no surprise that the already-struggling media companies have begun to fall victim to the current worries as well.

This week marked the beginning of a shocking and painful round of layoffs across the country, the largest being a 10% cut of staff throughout the Gannett company (owner of the Cincinnati Enquirer). The layoffs began Monday and already total over 650 positions. These cuts were not unexpected, as Gannett had announced them in October, but are still painful in these trying economic times.
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Also this week, Cox Publishing (owner of Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun, and many local papers in suburban Cincy) announced the April 1, 2009 closure of its ENTIRE Washington bureau. The company will also sell 10 of 17 of its daily papers, including the Austin American-Statesman. Luckily, the Dayton Daily News will still have reporters stationed in D.C.
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And finally, today, in SPJ -related news, the organization and journalism community is mourning the loss of past president and former Mexico (Mo.) Ledger editor and publisher Robert White. White,93, passed away Thursday, November 20 following a lengthy illness. White was known for his work for press-freedom advocacy.
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Remember - become an SPJ today and get weekly updates about news like this from SPJ Leads! Dues must be in by December 31 for the OU chapter! Join at www.spj.org/join.asp

Evan