Dave Butler, who has responsibility over editorial operations at all of the Bay Area News Group’s publications, says in a memo (via Poynter) to Contra Costa Times staffers that he wants to cut 10-12 newsroom jobs.
He says that digital revenue is rising, but print is declining, and the result is that the company needs to cut costs. Copy editors will feel the brunt of the cuts.
Instead of two or three editors handling a story, one editor will review it with a “once-and-done approach.”
“A second or third edit on most stories has become a luxury most newspapers no longer can afford,” Butler writes.
And to help editors, reporters will be asked to put suggested headlines atop their stories.
Contra Costa Times copy editors will be allowed to apply for any vacancies in the reporting staff. Layoffs will be finalized May 15.
“Anyone laid off will get two weeks’ pay in lieu of two weeks’ notice — the same way we have handled this in the past,” Butler says.
He says that digital revenue is rising, but print is declining, and the result is that the company needs to cut costs. Copy editors will feel the brunt of the cuts.
Instead of two or three editors handling a story, one editor will review it with a “once-and-done approach.”
“A second or third edit on most stories has become a luxury most newspapers no longer can afford,” Butler writes.
And to help editors, reporters will be asked to put suggested headlines atop their stories.
Contra Costa Times copy editors will be allowed to apply for any vacancies in the reporting staff. Layoffs will be finalized May 15.
“Anyone laid off will get two weeks’ pay in lieu of two weeks’ notice — the same way we have handled this in the past,” Butler says.
