Chicago is My Home

09
Jun

Tribune Co. Newspapers, Newsroom Will Be Reduced to Cut Operating Costs

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

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CHICAGO – Journalists and editors at various Tribune Co. publications are once again bracing themselves for cuts that will purge already depleted newspaper staffs.

During a recent conference call with bondholders, Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell and COO Randy Michaels said the company’s newspapers (including its flagship Chicago Tribune) will reduce the number of pages printed and cut staff in an effort to save money.

Michaels specifically addressed the issue of productivity and said the average journalist at Tribune Co.’s largest publication (the Los Angeles Times) produces substantially less content than journalists at other Tribune Co. publications.

Michaels said the company can eliminate less-productive employees without losing much content. In March 2008, the Tribune Co. laid off 400 editorial staff members at its 11 daily papers. The pending round of layoffs will be handled newspaper by newspaper, according to Michaels.

Michaels’ comments stirred concern in newsrooms across the country as staffers are worried about job security and editorial quality. The news was particularly grim for the Los Angeles Times, which is a newspaper that has seen a turbulent march of editors come and go since it was bought by the Tribune Co. in 2000.

Michaels said the reduction of pages will begin with the Orlando Sentinel on June 22, 2008. By Sept. 2008, Tribune Co. newspapers will have shrunk by 12.5 percent. Michaels said the company will strive for a 50-50 ratio between editorial content and advertising.

By Megan O’Neil