In what can most charitably be described as a carefully worded statement, Freedom Forum has confirmed that its Washington museum about news laid off employees yesterday. The statement, made to the Poynter Institute, says:
"We are restructuring some departments within the Newseum and increasing emphasis in key areas to allow us to better execute our mission of educating the nation and the world about the First Amendment and the need for a free and fair press. Once the changes are complete, and new positions have been filled, the Newseum will retain the same number of associates as before. Since opening to the public five years ago, the Newseum has experienced an increase in visitors each year. We will continue to welcome guests from around the world and to provide a forum for exploration of issues ranging from press freedom to American politics to news literacy for the 21st century."
The statement from the non-profit foundation doesn't give any specifics, however. And it fails to note that yesterday's 30 job cuts out of about 150 total weren't solely at the Newseum. For example, seven of the 11 positions at the foundation's First Amendment Center in Nashville were wiped out, according to one of my readers. And, four of five positions at its Diversity Institute, also in Nashville, were eliminated.
Now, it's possible those jobs are considered part of the Newseum; I don't have an organizational chart, so can't be certain. Freedom Forum didn't respond to my questions yesterday about the layoffs.
It's also worth noting that the museum says it's seen an increase in visitors each year, but doesn't give hard numbers. The museum's annual IRS tax returns on admissions revenue show a less clear-cut trend, however:
The statement from the non-profit foundation doesn't give any specifics, however. And it fails to note that yesterday's 30 job cuts out of about 150 total weren't solely at the Newseum. For example, seven of the 11 positions at the foundation's First Amendment Center in Nashville were wiped out, according to one of my readers. And, four of five positions at its Diversity Institute, also in Nashville, were eliminated.
Now, it's possible those jobs are considered part of the Newseum; I don't have an organizational chart, so can't be certain. Freedom Forum didn't respond to my questions yesterday about the layoffs.
It's also worth noting that the museum says it's seen an increase in visitors each year, but doesn't give hard numbers. The museum's annual IRS tax returns on admissions revenue show a less clear-cut trend, however:
- 2009: $6,943,599
- 2010: $6,510,368
- 2011: $7,140,652
The Freedom Forum - Gannett Foundation is being systematically looted by its operators. Al obviously learned from the adventures of Victor Posner, who lived just down the Florida coast.
ReplyDeleteThe Newseum is rapidly becoming Gannett's version of the Harrisburg incinerator, burning through cash and stock certificates at an economically unsustainable rate.
The "other shoe" dropped hard on over 100 Newseum part time Visitor Services employees on Thursday night. Many of these workers have been with Newseum since it opened in its new location 5 years ago.Layoffs take place in thirty days!!!! Sure are going to be a lot of happy visitor service employees this OBAMA SWEARING IN . WEEKEND when the Newseum expects. up to SIX THOUSAND VISITORS.
DeleteI just don't understand this fascination with the freedom forum - it has been now DECADES since they separated from Gannett
ReplyDeletefrom their website:
The Freedom Forum was established in 1991 under the direction of Founder Al Neuharth as successor to a foundation started in 1935 by newspaper publisher Frank E. Gannett. The Freedom Forum is not affiliated with Gannett Co. Its work is supported by income from an endowment of diversified assets
this is not news about Gannett nor should anyone care at this point...please stop with the freedom forum vendetta
Freedom Forum's description of itself is incorrect. While the foundation and Gannett are legally separate, they are, in fact, strongly affiliated with each other.
DeleteFreedom Forum is the original Gannett Foundation, according to public documents held by the New York state Attorney General's Office. What's more, a steady stream of former Gannett executives -- most recently Ken Paulson, the editor of USA Today -- has migrated from the company to Freedom Forum over the years.
Its impact on Gannett's charitable endeavors is enormous. That is because the corpus of its endowment was once devoted to supporting non-profit groups in communities where Gannett does business.
But that support has been hugely diminished as a result of its shift in mission under Al Neuharth and his associates, hurting food pantries, Red Cross chapters and countless other charities across the country.
For these reasons, it's appropriate for a blog about Gannett to keep track of Freedom Forum -- all the more so, because major media doesn't.
Finally, it's worth noting that only a fraction of my posts are about the foundation:
* 10 out of 1,100 during the past year.
* 97 out of 7,047 since I first started publishing this blog in September 2007.
Go Jim! You totally nailed it.
DeleteYes, please keep up the good work.
DeleteJim your reasoning is BS. Gannett has NOTHING to do with the FF. What's next an in depth story on the Norwich Bulletin?
DeleteSounds like someone doesn't want you poking around.
ReplyDeleteWhat's with the baby picture. Seems dishonest.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteSounds like they're all but closing up shop in Nashville. Any more on that part of the story?
ReplyDeleteAt this point, can't Big Al, Siegenthaler and Quinn live well without the annual six-figure cash infusions? Andy why is Paulson still around? Compared to the others, his career was not all that distinguished.
ReplyDeletePaulson personifies the chosen ones at Gannett. Suck up at social gatherings, agree vigorously with silly upper echelon ideas, dont rock the boat and show no flair for news judgement or management and you are in for life. We have a boatload of them.
ReplyDeletePaulson has a mean streak when it comes to underlings. He's a jerk. And, as 12:37 points out, there are more jerks still at Gannett than we can count
ReplyDeleteAfter, Al stole Gannett Foundation, and change the name to Freedom Fourm. Gannett, RESTARTED, a NEW foundation called "Gannett Foundation". That is the Foundation, that Gannett gives money to, and money out, NOT THE Freedom Fourm.
ReplyDeleteIf up to seven of eleven staff in Nashville were dumped, why are they in a huge building at Vanderbilt University? What does it cost to operate on a private campus? There's a lot of empty space at The Tennessean.
ReplyDeleteGood question!
DeletePlease follow up on mass firing of 100 part-time Visitor Service Reps effective Feb 17. These are the troops on the front lines in the green shirts and Khaki pants. They have been PAID staffers since the new facility opened in April 2008. AND they have been the customer service "face" of the Newseum "experience" that management has bragged about as making the Newseum DIFFERENT from other Wash DC museums. One assumes with the layoffs consolidating these 100 part timers into 15 full-time positions that superb customer service will suffer? Guessing many former positions will be staffed with MORE unpaid volunteers. Out with the Old. In with the New NEWSEUM.
ReplyDelete