Mississippi's Hattiesburg American tells readers in a new story that its building has been put up for sale, a move that's part of Gannett's strategy to sell real estate and buildings that have become too large for the shrinking businesses they house. The American's downsizing follows last year's shift of its printing and other production to GCI's Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
I've read several stories in GCI papers about moves like this, and they have a common theme: Publishers assuring readers that GCI remains just as committed to local communities as ever -- even as the company reduces staffing, news coverage, customer service and investment in capital.
Here's American General Manager Traci Fowler, making her pitch: "We remain firmly committed to the Pine Belt area and to maintaining a physical presence here. We're proud to be the top news and information source for Forrest and Lamar counties, and that will not change."
The story continues: "Fowler said Hattiesburg American employees will continue to be active in the community and the company's local sales team will continue to work closely with customers to provide creative solutions to help them grow their business. The local news staff will continue its strong government watchdog role and offer comprehensive coverage of local preps and college athletics, she added."
Thursday, October 07, 2010
5 comments:
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Another publisher/editor spewing that garbage about being a "watchdog" for the people.
ReplyDeleteThe papers shrink, the staff gets cut and the top dogs keep harping on how they're the powerful watchdogs.
Well, it just ain't so anymore. You can only stretch the staff so far.
I'm grateful there are still reporters who'll chase a story - much of it on their own time - and the editors should be grateful, too, because it makes them look good even if they had nothing to do with it.
Fewer eyes and ears on the street mean less value for the readers both in print and online.
I work at a paper where the executive editor still says all of this stuff with a straight face. I often wonder if he knows what a joke he's become in the community. Not all newspaper readers are idiots, but Gannett management treats them as though they are.
ReplyDeleteDitto 11:07 p.m.....The Westchester brass think they're on top of everything and yet they know virtually nothing about many of the communities The Journal News supposedly serves.
ReplyDeleteIt was once a respected paper in Rockland, at least, but no more. It's so far out of touch with the people that its impact is virtually nil.
Too bad. It was a good paper before the Gannettoids got their hands on it.
I admire Traci for holding things together in Hattiesburg. She's actually an outstanding manager that has made the most of a difficult situation. She's a tireless, committed employee, and Gannett is fortunate to have her running the show in the Hub City.
ReplyDeleteIn response to 12/12/10 7:50 PM post:
ReplyDeleteReally??? I mean really? The employees in Hattiesburg were told after the last round of lay-offs, there would be no more and yet on 11/04/10, more employees were cut. This time "quality" employees were cut over less productive employees with "seniority".