Acting on an anonymous tip, the Independent is looking into rumors about large-scale layoffs at the Santa Barbara News-Press, where between 11 and 16 employees were reportedly laid off today. According to one source, among the laid-off are life editor Mindy Spar, image editor Bob Klinger, and Barry Punzal, a sports editor who has been with the paper since 1983.
Another source said several advertising representatives constituted a large chunk of the group of victims of the downsizing. News-Press management reportedly said in explanation of the layoffs that newspaper readership has fallen throughout the country and that Santa Barbara is no different.
Check in with independent.com for more news.
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Drew Mackie also contributed to this report.
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As blaming it all on the Teamsters is a fully expected tactic, we all will remember that the Teamsters primarily are seeking a newspaper that follows journalistic ethics, NOT a boost in pay and benefits as the reason for the Mess in the first place.
Therefore, these people are "laid off" because the owner-management there does not want to publish according to journalistic ethics. It is NOT about the money.
The Libertarian market responded, the customers fled a bad and unethical product and sought out superior competitors in the mraketplace, and the firm has to deal with the outcome.
Merde Happens.
David_Pritchett (David Pritchett)
May 1, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This portion of the layoff memo to surviving employees courtesy Craig Smith:
"Understand, we will never give up our defense of the right of the ownership of the paper to control the content of its newspaper."
CANCEL THE NEWS-PRESS. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, businesses you patronize to stop subsidizing unethical journalism and bad business practices. Stop shopping or dining at businesses that advertise.
surfergirlsb (anonymous profile)
May 1, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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