(Updated at 2:36 p.m. ET.) An internal memo dated Sunday and forwarded to me moments ago reveals a sweeping plan to consolidate newspaper page production at a series of new "production hubs." Copyediting and story placement would remain at local sites, the memo says, without detailing how that would save money. Timetable: Corporate wants the hubs online as early as possible in the year's second half.
Significantly, the project sounds urgent. Affected newspapers will be contacted by a team of editors in the next few days, if their publisher has not yet been informed, the memo says. The team started work only "a few weeks ago," at the request of newspaper division chief Bob Dickey, the memo says.
I have now written to chief spokeswoman Tara Connell for comment. I have cc'd News Department Vice President Kate Marymont, as well.
Bottom line, editors: You now have three months to reorganize your newsrooms -- again.
Brief iPhone post; frequent updates. Comment, below, please!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
42 comments:
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As a copy editor, I'm wondering whether they'll just lay me off or try to offer me an unpalatable transfer to Timbuktu first. That way when I refuse it, I won't qualify for unemployment.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very much like what's happening in NJ, but from the NJ memo from yesterday seems to imply that copy editing will be happening in Neptune as well as page production.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else get that impression?
Hooray. Another reorganization. Wonderful news. I see that our IC is now going to become someone else's IC.
ReplyDeleteI C, U C, we all scream for I C.
If "Copyediting and story placement would remain at local sites, the memo says" then what is there left to do, really?
ReplyDeleteWhat would be done at these "production hubs"???
If copyediting and story placement is staying ... then what's moving?
ReplyDeleteThis "production hub" notice, if true -- and there's no reason to doubt it is -- is a far bigger deal and will have far wider implications than any of the furloughs or layoffs in the company or publisher changes at USA TODAY or any of the other stuff we are going through.
ReplyDeleteAnd it will probably affect far more people.
As a spouse of a GCI employee, I'm curious if by "production" hub, they're also referring to production down in the plants??...Especially with them saying copyediting and story placement...What else could they be referring to?? ( Keep in mind, I'm not there, and not sure exactly what's considered production).
ReplyDeleteApril fools! Right? Right?
ReplyDelete*crickets*
Umm...
Copy editing and page production will take place at APP in Neptune for the NJ group. All other papers will essentially become bureaus, with reporters, photogs and some content, first read, and web editors on staff (approximately 10 per "bureau"). This isn't false info, I'm part of one of NJ dailies being affected.
ReplyDeleteThe memo Jim refers to does sound similar to what NJ is currently going through. So if you're working for a local paper, and there are a few other local papers in your state, be prepared for a "reorganization" where you'll be re-applying for your own position (if you're lucky) or applying for some other editor position and competing with your colleagues for said positions. You'll likely also have the opportunity to apply for production jobs at the soon-to-be state central hub. Otherwise pack up your desk and call UE.
I just interviewed this afternoon for a new "position" within my own company, so none of this is bogus.
It sounds like page design would be considered production.
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be FUN. On my copy desk, our computers can barely handle sending on-the-page stories to the copy editors 10 feet away, let alone several miles.
And by the above comment I didn't mean that it's more difficult to send files greater distances. That's a stupid statement.
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant was that each site, in my experience, generally works on slightly different systems, procedures are slightly different, fonts and templates are slightly different enough to make a big difference... so it's going to be a shitstorm for the people who are "lucky" enough to get these "jobs."
And as far as how big it is, 1:57, that depends entirely on where it's being implemented.
Using Gannett logic and phraseology, "story placement" could be no more than just picking out four or five spots on a pre-designed template and selecting which stories will go where and which story is the lead.
ReplyDeleteSay goodbye any sort of breaking news, except what can be squeezed inside. A murder at 10 p.m.? Forget about it, except on B5. There's no more space, and the designer is also turning out a niche pets magazine at the same time, so there's no more time, either.
Creative designs, maps, graphics? Kiss your asses farewell.
There are a lot of bugs to be ironed out of this regionalization project, I agree. But I see it as a first step to shipping this whole operation over to India. If they can make it work in regional centers, they can make it work in India.
ReplyDeleteThis is the product of someone working with flow charts who has no knowledge of how newsrooms work. How many times during the day does the copy desk bring the story back to the desk of origin with a question? So this is now going to be done by phone with regional centers calling local editors, and requiring local editors to put on hold what they are doing to call up a copy on their computer of the story being questioned. Then question answered, it is back to business again. The system will just choke up, or else even more errors will creep into stories.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a positive step.
ReplyDeleteOkay, it's not ideal, and no one wants to lose their jobs or have to relocate to where the hubs are going to be, like they're doing in New Jersey, but its better than closing newspapers.
I don't want to see any paper go the way of the Rocky Mountain News or the P-I, and this is the kind of creative and efficient moves newspapers need to take.
As a reporter, there is little likelihood this could directly impact me, but my friends are copy editors and designers and it will impact them.
But as a newspaper advocate I see this as the kind of steps newspapers need to be taking. Not firing people but working to make sure tasks are being done as efficiently as possible.
"As a reporter, there is little likelihood this could directly impact me ..."
ReplyDeleteAnd that's where you're wrong.
Aside from the immediate impacts - errors not getting caught and embarrassing you, editors with no local knowledge calling you at 9 p.m., etc. - just see how long it takes Gannett to develop a plan for regionalizing reporters.
After all, the Internet and a phone are all you need to cover a local beat - no need for a physical presence. The Legislature broadcasts its sessions online, so no need to have a reporter in the state capitol any more when they can listen from 100 miles away. Hmm... all we need now to REALLY cut costs are a bunch of insomniac Indians!
"As a reporter, there is little likelihood this could directly impact me ..."
ReplyDeleteAnd that's where you're wrong.
Aside from the immediate impacts - errors not getting caught and embarrassing you, editors with no local knowledge calling you at 9 p.m., etc. - just see how long it takes Gannett to develop a plan for regionalizing reporters.
After all, the Internet and a phone are all you need to cover a local beat - no need for a physical presence. The Legislature broadcasts its sessions online, so no need to have a reporter in the state capitol any more when they can listen from 100 miles away. Hmm... all we need now to REALLY cut costs are a bunch of insomniac Indians!
This is EXACTLY how what is happening in NJ was described to us in meetings and one-on-ones with the muckety mucks who are staying. And yes, copy editing and layout are moving. The other thing happening in NJ is the creation of these 16 "new editing management positions in Neptune." Which presumably are going to oversee "regional" news, sports, features, etc. In NJ, the HNT, CN and DR are now essentially bureaus of the Asbury Park Press. So tell me, why do we need high-paid publishers and executive editors? There's where you can find some real savings! Not on the backs of the local editors who do all the work.
ReplyDeleteAnd have you heard how this cruel game of musical chairs works? As an editor, you had 24 hours to apply for one on the openings. You will learn within a week if you have a seat or were left standing. But then, you have to stick around until June 1, when all this takes affect, or no severance.
Truly classy Gannett.
4:46 I am 100 percent in agreement. This means the death of the local reporter. The next step is to hire part-timers or trade in reporters for piece-work part-timers. You could save real big bucks by farming out the newsroom to locals willing to work part time, and there are a hell of a lot of unemployed journalists out there.
ReplyDeleteThe downside of this all is that the newspaper will lose its link to the community. Politicians who have supported the local newspaper because it is a local employer will feel less inclined to help out. There will be no longer editors who are Rotary Club members, or employees of the newspaper who go to the Elks, etc. The whole local network that supports the newspaper is being destroyed, and local business will surely notice the missing local paychecks. I see a big backlash to draining money out of the community instead of at least putting some of it back in. Surely corporate must realize by now that people do not have to buy our newspapers.
4/01/2009 4:00,
ReplyDeleteAh, but the great minds of the NNCO group has answered this concern ... the whole group just underwent a complete overhaul so everyone has the same stylesheets and look. Joy! (rolls eyes)
From what I hear, this isn't happening at NNCO, but after reading all this, it's obviously on the way because the steps are being taken to do it, it seems.
Jim, where is the text of this Sunday memo?
ReplyDeleteAny word on how this might affect The journal news in Westchester and Poughkeepsie Journal in Dutchess? They seem like naturals for consolidation.
ReplyDelete7:47 pm: I've been working off my iPhone all afternoon, so can't post that text until I get back home.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm in San Francisco's famous North Beach, historically the city's Italian neighborhood. I'm at Caffe Roma, it's 5:18 pm and warm outside; the windows have been thrown wide to the sidewalk. Soon, patrons will arrive for dinner at Joe DiMaggio's old restaurant, next door.
North Beach also is home to a new generation of dot-comers. I'm surrounded right now by people half my age, peering into their MacBook screens. What do they see?
Gannett to consolidate editing of 4 NJ papers
ReplyDelete5 hours ago
NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) — Gannett Co. is consolidating copy editing and page production operations for four New Jersey newspapers.
The Asbury Park Press will house the regional operation at its offices in Neptune. The other three papers are the Home News Tribune of East Brunswick, the Courier News of Somerville and the Daily Record of Parsippany.
This is a tumultuous time in the industry as newspapers deal with declining circulation and plummeting advertising revenue. Many, including Gannett's New Jersey papers, have laid off staff and required furloughs for those remaining in the past year.
McLean, Va.-based Gannett publishes more daily newspapers than any other company. Its 85 papers include USA Today.
The company says copy editors and page designers at the papers can transfer to Neptune.
Copy editing management jobs at the papers are to be eliminated and replaced with 16 new jobs in Neptune. A company memo says all hiring for those spots will be from within.
After the reshuffling, the company says, 10 managers will lose their jobs.
The managers who do not get the positions in Neptune and workers who do not accept transfers are to receive severance packages.
Jobs for reporters, photographers and their supervisors are not being eliminated in the consolidation.
The operation is be phased in by June 1.
The Courier-Post in Cherry Hill and the Daily Journal of Vineland are not included.
William Hidlay, president and publisher of the East Brunswick and Somerville papers, declined to comment.
I'm terribly confused about this. I mean, my site already has a universal desk, and all copy editors paginate, too. How do they intend to consolidate that further? And is this just for specific locations, or ALL Gannett sites?
ReplyDeleteJim, I'll tell ya what they see. They see EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the problem. Reporters could labor all day to bang out a decent article for the next day's morning paper, but first it's going to go up on the Web, copyedited by Who Cares Anymore. The people at your cafe can read for free, or not give a damn. Gannett, for example, will be interesting ONLY in page hits so they can "market" the news and try to make some frickin' money with their digital creations. Will their be Pulitzer Prize-winning articles written any more? Will Generation X and Y and whatever hell else letter youngsters are called give a damn?
The reality is, saving money is saving money. From what I'm reading here, people being forced to reapply for these "new" hub jobs is cruel.
But my back is healing from the whip marks. I was laid off in December. I'll say a prayer for everyone committed to the profession of journalism because hell is on earth, folks.
5:10 So tell me, why do we need high-paid publishers and executive editors? There's where you can find some real savings! Not on the backs of the local editors who do all the work.
ReplyDeleteWould I love to see that - I would wet myself with glee. But, you and I both know that aint happenin.
What's happening in NJ will go companywide. I think the centralization of copy editors is a fine idea, why does each paper need its own unqie set of copy editors to check for grammar and spelling mistakes? Next, General Assignment repprters will be eliminated and stringers will do the bulk of local news coverage. ContentOne and Metromix are the future, systemwide content for all Gannett papers. I'd buy some stock now, as the financial savings wil show on the bottom line in the 3rd and 4th quarters this year.
ReplyDelete9:57 Yeah, that's all copy editors do. They just check for grammar and spelling mistakes...(rolls eyes).
ReplyDeleteummmm 9:38. Gannett has NEVER been known as an organization which covets a Pulitizer prize. It's a new world...if it doesn't get read and get page views it is of little value...I'm in a newsroom with 350 staff and one staffer is on investigative. It is just not a valued job any more...as much lip service which the "First Amendment Team" puts into it at the end of the day they would rather have "This Seasons Swimsuit Fashions" and report from Spring Break in Lake Havasu.
ReplyDeleteVertifaction Word...Queeny
This same ploy will be used to regionalize the Westchester desk operations with Poughkeepsie. The Westchester newsroom is still fat and can use a few more rounds of belt tightening.
ReplyDeleteThe real crime is how the newspaper has failed its readers. The Sherlock-Ritter team wrecked this franchise forever.
9:57:
ReplyDeleteWhat planet are you living on? Newspapers have fallen and they can't get up. They might be trying to wear "trendy clothes" but at the end of the day their insides are just a shell of what they once were.
The Cafe Roma is one of my favorite SF restaurants, but must be a tad expensive for someone not hitting his quarterly goals.
ReplyDeleteAs for the regionalization, I see it as the first step towards centralizing all production and printing at these central sites. I don't know why they aren't doing that right now, but there must be some transportation and scheduling problem I don't understand.
9:57, you need a reality check. I bet you will never know how many times a copy editor saved your ass from a really, really embarrassing mistake.
ReplyDelete9:57 As much as you prize your writing, you are working for a paper which is trying to maintain a consistency and identity for its readers. Believe me, there must be a hundred retired English teachers out there whose daily job it is to find a comma splice or a grammatically tortured sentence. Having a story read by at least two editors is also a minimum for avoiding errors that can be legally costly, like ridiculing some private citizen's cooking abilities, etc.
ReplyDeleteJim raises a good question in his posting: Where is the savings from doing this. Is this just the first step towards centralizing all production at these sites? I also don't know if they are going to phase the deadlines of these papers, but if they don't, it will make for one hell of a hectic mess, with missed deadlines and overtime in the pressroom, etc.
ReplyDeleteNJ, this regionalization is nothing new. Wisconsin has been doing this with it's East and Central papers for over a year now. It started with copy editors and paginators and spread to ad production and prepress. Everytime a department was shifted to a central hub, people were forced to reapply for their jobs at a lesser pay.
ReplyDeleteSoon we'll all just be satellite offices for GB, Appleton and Wausau, if that even.
Though maybe I'm wrong and Wis will be combined now with Ohio, Minn. and Indy. Oops, probably shouldn't be giving corp and ideas.
I know we're talking about a different kind of "production" here but it's been my guess for over a year that they're going to try to create ad production hubs.. has anyone heard anything about that?
ReplyDeleteThanks 10:06 p.m. for your wise words.
ReplyDeleteIt's bad enough that many Gannett newsrooms have lost staffers with a deep knowledge of their communities, a knowledge that gives stories clarity, context and richness.
ReplyDeleteNow, copy editors in other cities/towns with little or no knowledge about the communities whose stories they are editing?
It's another step toward losing faithful readers, who will recoil at the errors of fact - and omission. And another hole in the safety net for reporters - who are on their own more and more these days.
Sad.
Copy editing is supposedly staying.
ReplyDeleteAnother great idea. A regional hub that knows nothing about the flavor of the particular city. Produced hypothetically by some dumb 22-year-old kid who just got off the bus in Washington who has never had a cheese coney in Cincinnati and wouldn't know Price Hill from Indian Hill.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I see all the time in my local paper in Wisconsin. Bad headlines, boners and screwups by a "production staff" 50 miles away who have absolutely no idea what's going on in my town. They say copy will be edited locally ... yeah, right ... but the end product is produced far away by people who don't know, don't care, have no investment in that town, and believe me, it's noticed.