Cuz the times, they are a changin’
“The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Wednesday it will cut its full-time news staff by nearly 30 percent to lower costs as it tries to regain profitability amid a severe revenue slump.
The company also announced it will eliminate distribution to seven more outlying counties, reducing its circulation area to 20 metro Atlanta counties, effective April 26. The cutback will pare daily and Sunday circulation by 2 percent.
The AJC’s news staff will drop to about 230 full-time positions, down from about 323 currently. Staff members with five or more years with the company will be offered voluntary buyouts, with layoffs to follow if fewer than about 90 apply, the company said.
Most of the news staff cuts “will be in production and management, allowing us to keep as many news reporters as possible,” AJC and ajc.com editor Julia Wallace said.
The cuts are expected to be completed in May.
The company laid off 48 part-time news staffers Tuesday and announced the full-time cuts Wednesday morning.”
UPDATE: I’ve had second thoughts about the video…..
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102 comments Add your comment
AmVet
March 25th, 2009
10:48 am
Alice, the very first concert I ever went to!
The faux conservatives are gonna luv this news, JB!
No worries, though.
Much as they try to hide the truth about their disgusting ways and track record, there is no modern day Tricky Dick to cover it all up…
Bosch
March 25th, 2009
10:54 am
Jay,
Wow, you are brave. Real nice of ya’ to throw the wingnuttys a bone.
ESR
March 25th, 2009
10:55 am
I hate seeing anyone lose their job. Their loss will eventually be our loss as well. Good luck !
Observer
March 25th, 2009
10:59 am
Jay – Instead of “throwing the wingnuttys a bone”, why not post a piece on last night’s news conference? Do you not deem it newsworthy? Our president addressed the nation last night and so fat today we have a piece on Notre Dame and the AJC’s workforce reductions. I would think the president’s commentary on the current state of the economy would be a little bit more topical.
Joe Matarotz
March 25th, 2009
11:00 am
Losing your job under these circumstances is terrible. It is one of the most stressful times a person will ever go through. Maybe the flakes who think this is good news will have the opportunity to undergo such a trial. They need to find out first hand how miserable this is. Watch out if you’re going to gloat over this. What goes around comes around.
Observer
March 25th, 2009
11:00 am
oops – Should read: “so FAR today…” Sorry.
I Report/ You Whine
March 25th, 2009
11:03 am
93 “news” staff employees were making $10,753 a week??
Either that or they got some more trimming to do reach “profitability.”
Maybe socialism will ride to the rescue, you reckon?
PJ
March 25th, 2009
11:04 am
Say it ain’t so Jay! Say it aint’ so!
oldmac
March 25th, 2009
11:16 am
Product meets free market.
Market passes on product.
Simple.
NJ
G
March 25th, 2009
11:21 am
Yep, I can see it from my house. The so-called Christians coming out to rejoice.
Those who attend a reformed church seem to be among the worst offenders.
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
11:27 am
Jay-Many people are now getting more & more news etc from other sources including this one,but thats not the only reason papers across the country are failing. Continous bias & force feeding political agendas down the throats of its readers is another. I stopped buying the ajc years ago for this very reason,and I know i’m not alone.
ConservativeAnchor
March 25th, 2009
11:30 am
If the Atlanta Journal Constipation hadn’t turned into a commie rag and offered thoughtful and unbiased of issue that affect all of us, it might not have this problem.
Bosch
March 25th, 2009
11:32 am
caz,
That would be a valid argument only if other newspapers and magazine who have a conservative bias weren’t facing the same thing.
The only time I buy newspapers is in the fall and winter when I need to make a fire in the fireplace.
JC
March 25th, 2009
11:32 am
The traditional function of newspapers was to monitor and uncover government & individual & corporate misdeads and corruption. Crippling the newspapers across the country will lead to more and more unconstrained evil-doing by those in charge. The AJC and other major newpapers across the country have performed a priceless and irreplaceable service. We will regret the day when we allow newspapers to fail. Who will protect us from our government and Wall Street?
Bosch
March 25th, 2009
11:33 am
And caz,
Your argument is one that we’ve squashed here time and time again.
ESR
March 25th, 2009
11:33 am
Just in: Obama wasn’t reading a teleprompter last night, he was lip-syncing. And you thought he wasn’t at least as smart as Britney Spears.
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
11:37 am
Bosch-Thank God for gas logs!
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
11:39 am
JC- Did Jay feed you that entry? Are you kidding????????????????????
AmVet
March 25th, 2009
11:40 am
To segue nicely off the Notre Dame “controversy” and into this topic:
CNN – There are reportedly 67.1 million Catholics in the U.S., according to The Official Catholic Directory 2008. Compared to the 2007 number of 67.5, that’s about a 400,000 decrease in one year. And the Pew Forum found that approximately a third of its survey respondents who were raised in the Roman Catholic Church no longer attend the church.
Earlier this month, Bishop Richard G. Lennon of the Diocese of Cleveland, which serves more than 750,000 Catholics, announced that 29 parishes will close and 41 others will merge. The reconfiguration plan, which will effectively cut 52 parishes in the current tally of 224.
Even MORE Good News for the TRUE Christians!
These Papist heretics are going down faster than the evil liberal newspapers!
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 25th, 2009
11:41 am
With the exception of a good many politicians, I hate to see anybody lose their job.
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
11:43 am
Bosch- I don’t feel my opinion was squashed as you say. Please tell me cuz I don’t know,which right wing NEWSPAPERS have failed? Not tryin to be a smarta*s,just not to familiar with that many well know rightwing papers.
AmVet
March 25th, 2009
11:44 am
CNN – All the energy — indeed all debate — is on the progressive side of the aisle. The Obama administration’s only intellectual challengers are on the left, where economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman and others are offering a vigorous critique and proposing alternative solutions. But where are the Republicans? Doing nothing but complaining. Unless and until they do offer an alternative, they really have no right to whine about the president.
For now at least, GOP stands for “Got 0 Plans.”
The Old White Guy Party of Dixie! Got 0 Plans and Got 0 Prospects!
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
March 25th, 2009
11:47 am
I maintain a small hunting camp in Houston County. So I speak with intimate knowledge of the local culture when I decry the AJC’s decision to cease circulation in Barrow, Bibb, Clarke, Houston, Monroe, Oconee and Putnam counties as cruel and unusual punishment.
By and large, these are good, solid, conservative folk who want little more than a place to hunt, a lake to fish, a church to attend, and the AJC for use as free toilet paper.
I am saddened by the loss of jobs at the AJC, Lord knows it will be hard for these folks to be thrown into the ranks of the unemployed during the Obama depression, but one has to acknowledge that the greedy, arrogant management team has every every bit of its failure.
Bosch
March 25th, 2009
11:50 am
caz,
Chicago Tribune.
ByteMe
March 25th, 2009
11:53 am
So Byll, are you saying that without the availability of the AJC, those good people will become “poopy” people instead?
Corporal
March 25th, 2009
11:57 am
JAY:
I don’t think you answered this from this morning …..
Do you think you guys will ever have to go the “no endorsements” route ?? Could you hold your nose and do it?
NEWSPAPER REVITALIZATION ACT: CONGRESS MOVES TO SAVE PRINT; OUTLAW POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS…
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE52N67F20090324
P.S. How does it feel to be going the way of the dinosauer Republicans?
Will you guys survive? Will we? Time will tell ……….
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
11:58 am
Bosch-Thanks,is that all? How about L/wing besides Constipation. I am sad that people will be loosing their jobs of any occupation,but this has been coming for some time. Bad timing though.
DawgBite
March 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
oldmac
March 25th, 2009
11:16 am
Product meets free market.
Market passes on product.
Simple.
NJ
No oldmac. A “conservative” might say that when you can get a handout for nothing why buy the product. Does that make you and everybody else that reads news on line in lieu of buying the paper welfare queens and kings? Maybe they should start charging subscriptions to the online news same as the paper version and see what happens then.
Midori
March 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
Byll,
where’s the innovation?
The ancient Romans used sponges.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
March 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
AmVet 11:40 am
To seque off your segue of the Notre Dame shame of inviting President Obama, I am not catholic (but I do respect some catholicm people)it is hardly the fault of the catholic church that these people have chosen to abandon the Lord. In this day and time when the media, public institutions, and popular culture bombard people, from the time they are in the cradle, with ungodly and hateful speeech directed toward religion, it is remarkable that the fallout is not twice so high.
Now, on to President Obama at Notre Dame, whether Catholic or not (and I certainly am not), clearly President Obama is not a life to be celebrated and emulated.
He has spread abortion (and thereby death of innocents) outside our borders and abdicated any moral authority by endorsing the creation, cloning, and killing of embryos.
Beyond that, one can draw no other conclusion than that President Obama is a sociopath. Last night he spake that his budget would transion us from a “borrow and spend” nation to a “save and invest” nation. Since the nonpartisan (but appointed by Democrats) CBO estimates a $10 trillion increase in our nation debt at the hands of the Obama policies, how could anyone but A STONE-COLD LIAR SOCIOPATH make the “borrow and spend” to a “save and invest” transition staement?
The truly sad thing is that the liberal sheople continue to bleat praise for Obama and kiss the ground upon which this reprehensible sociopath walks.
CommunistAJC
March 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
Bookman, most people get their news from cable and internet now days. Adapt or die off.
You do love evolution don’t you? Evolve Bookman, evolve.
PJ
March 25th, 2009
12:04 pm
This has been coming on for years, way before the advent of PC’s and the Internet. Most towns and cities and at least two major newspaper outlets up until the 70’s and the 80’s. A lot of them folder altogether or merged into one paper. Like the passing of time and the things we feel are institutions, this too must pass. I do not think all newspapers will close and the really good ones will survive. Over twenty years ago my mother started cutting out comic strips for my children, who were babies at the time, to look at in the future because she told me then that these would one day be a thing of the past. I still remember our paper boy, his nick-name was Spike, delivering the daily paper to our door and I’m glad I have that memory that my one-day grandchildren will never know. Like milkmen, diaper delivery and doctors who made house calls we will only see them now in old movies on TCM. I am truly sad for days gone by but nostalgia longing can not and should not stop progress. That being said, newspapers do serve a greater purpose than it’s given credit for and I hope the AJC never goes completely bust.
AmVet
March 25th, 2009
12:07 pm
JC, you are absolutely, positively correct IMHO.
The reich-wingers lament that the “liberal” press hurts their cause. Yet they idiotically refuse to acknowledge that about 15 giant groups of corporatists — historically BIG time Repuliconning allies — control these outlets, lock, stock and barrel.
If anything, I believe the “free” press, pretty much gave BushCo a free pass.
For example, rather than do their actual job as you noted, the corporate controlled sycophants could not get in line quick enough to capitalize on booming sales after shock and awe. Long enough for the Hero of the Texas ANG to complete screw up the situation horrifically and hopelessly.
War-mongering chickenhawk after war-mongering chickenhawk was paraded out endlessly to triumph the spoils and righteousness of the BushCo Crusades! No matter that they essentially were built upon lies and were utterly botched. Costing thousands of lives needlessly.
And for eight years where was the outrage?
Debacle after debacle after debacle and barely a peep. Some half-hearted admonishments, but who dared to really stand up to these bungling thugs and their monied masters?
Where were the demands that these two-quasi-criminals be brought to justice before the US Congress? Oh that’s right. The boys on Capitol Hill are a bunch of complicit, co-conspiratorial criminals themselves.
Oh well.
Bloodlust and train wrecks sell really, really well.
Why would the MSM insist the gutless conductors of sch abominations change their ways when it would actually cost them almighty dollars to do otherwise?
Liars abetting liars…
Midori
March 25th, 2009
12:11 pm
There’s no rant like a AmVet rant
DawgBite
March 25th, 2009
12:18 pm
AmVet’s got it going on!
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
12:18 pm
AmVet-Interesting thoughts even if not accurate. But don’t let that stop you,it was very impressive read from the Left.
Red
March 25th, 2009
12:20 pm
I just hope this won’t impede Jimmy K. and the others in Sandy Springs from getting their weekly fruit baskets delivered on time.
Obambi's TelePrompter
March 25th, 2009
12:22 pm
They’ll never lay me off.
I got the most secure job in all of America, na na nanana.
With the idiot readership the AJC has in Atlanta, it surprises me to hear the technology is causing the newspaper to deep six, deadbeats steal computers, they don’t read them.
Maybe the price of Mad Dog went up?
Priorities, I guess.
Joe Matarotz
March 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
*********** HOT OFF THE (WORKING) PRESS ************
The EU President, Mirek Topolanek, has blasted Obama’s stimulus plan, calling it the ‘way to hell’. You can read about it on nytimes.com.
Jay, shouldn’t you be reporting on this? Jay? Jay? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Jay?
CommunistAJC
March 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
AmVet, the press gave Bush a free pass for 8 years? Um, I don’t remember any news source giving him a free pass. In 2000 he was the illegitimate president according to the NY Times, CNN, MSNBC, CBS and ABC. In 2001 he was the reason for 911 according to the same news sources. In 2003 the free press continued to call him names. In 2004, Kerry was considered to be the smartest democrat around according to the same news sources. In 2005 Bush was hammered for Katrina even though LA government failed the people. See where I’m going AmVet?
AmVet
March 25th, 2009
12:28 pm
Glad you enjoy them, Midori!
Glad you hate them cuz!
They often cause some sort of ruckus. /grin/
Wylie Byll Hytlyr,
I am shocked! Shocked I say!
That you would deign engage somebody as dishonorable as moi! One who would spit on the memory of the victims of 9/11!
You must be absolutely desperate for attention.
Just this one time I will humor you. But know that no matter what other tripe you post, this time or at any point in the future, I will waste no time whatsoever on someone as “honorable” as you.
You Christo-fascists and religious frauds are a dying breed. Your days in western civilization are numbered. And in fifty years you deadly flat-earth boys and Crusaders for Jesus won’t even be REMOTELY relevant.
Your kids are fleeing that nonsense quicker than a neo-con from an AFEES station. And your Islamic cousins will have to carry your banner.
Deal with it…
CommunistAJC
March 25th, 2009
12:29 pm
Bookman, here are some more thoughts on why the AJC is tanking. When your beloved Cynthia Tucker constantly race baits and blames whitey for all of black peoples problems, the public gets upset. When the paper constantly endorses one party the public gets upset. The AJC is a one-sided newspaper. Sure, you have Wooten to tout as the lone conservative columnist but he is out numbered 3-1 by liberals with a liberal agenda. Conservatives have been warning you guys for years about your biased reporting and you guys didn’t listen.
As the REEEEEEEEEEEV Wright famously said, your chickens are coming home to roost.
Sorry comrade, evoooooooooolve.
Corporal
March 25th, 2009
12:30 pm
Joe Matarotz:
Sorry Joe. They don’t post threads like that.
CommunistAJC
March 25th, 2009
12:31 pm
AmVet, you wrote: You Christo-fascists and religious frauds are a dying breed. Your days in western civilization are numbered. And in fifty years you deadly flat-earth boys and Crusaders for Jesus won’t even be REMOTELY relevant.
Ok, AmVet, Jesus Christ has been around for over 2000 years and He will be here long after you’re gone. You’re a human being, comrade, and people like you have come and gone for years.
Nietzsche=God is dead.
GOD=Nietzsche is dead.
Joe
March 25th, 2009
12:31 pm
Print media has been dying for years.
Media in its current form is not what it is intended to be. The majority of the media (TV stations, TV networks, newspapers, and magazines) are owned by about six (6) large corporations. Their messages are controlled not by ideology (please, don’t confuse an editorial written by an individual with the mission of a corporate board–esp. when it comes with a disclaimer…) but by MONEY.
Anyone who calls the media “liberal” is so far to the right and out of touch with reality that they don’t realize how looney they are. Then again, these are the same people who think that the word “liberal” should be used as an insult.
A metaphor for you. Imagine a football field. The far right wingnuts are in one endzone, and the far left loonies are in the other. Those who look at things objectively will realize that the mainstream media hang out between the 40s (with the overwhelming majority of them between the 45s). However, if you are in the endzone, even the 50 yard line seems way, way far away to the extreme from your point of view.
No, the media are neither liberal nor conservative. They are corporate, and what they report (and really, HOW they do it) depends on whatever makes profit. It’s difficult for the print media because it’s more difficult to be sensational in words. Plus, don’t buy books, magazines, or newspapers much–period–these days, which drives down revenue. The argument that newspapers are going away because of the “message” is bogus because people aren’t buying novels anymore, either. Is that because novels suck right now? NO, and evidence of that is because people flock to the television for crappy television every Monday night (for example).
In conclusion, get a grip people, and have some compassion for those who will be losing their jobs in a difficult market. I have a friend who writes for the Denver Post who is seeing the effects of the Rocky Mountain News’ decision to close its doors. It’s hard out there, and it’s not going to get better. With the media consolidations going on, that means fewer sources for information and fewer jobs for those in that industry. Not good, all around. But hey, enjoy the deregulation in this particular market!
caz1158
March 25th, 2009
12:32 pm
Obambi-I don’t know if your job is all that safe. Word is,Obama’s going away from teleprompters. He’s going to start using puppets so as not to talk over the heads of supporters. Biden’s staffers say that VP is very excited and hopes cookies and milk will also be served.
CommunistAJC
March 25th, 2009
12:35 pm
AmVet, just for you comrade.
Hebrews 3:18
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
AmVet
March 25th, 2009
12:40 pm
Commie,
You misread me. Yet again. And again.
God is not dead. Whatever he is. Whatever I or anyone else believes that to be. (BTW, she’s black and she’s PO’d!)
But your hijacked version replete with heavens and hells and saviors and woman being “born” of a man and people returning from the dead sure is mortally wounded. IMHO, childish nonsense – all of it.
Shoot me if you will. But you must realize that now there are far too many others like me who will “spread the joyous news” and will no longer be conned into joining the biggest tax-free Ponzi scheme invented…
CommunistAJC
March 25th, 2009
12:43 pm
AmVet, no, I pretty much read you spot on. I’m sorry that somewhere along the line you got the wrong impression of what Jesus Christ is all about.
GayGrayGeek
March 25th, 2009
12:43 pm
Joe @ 12:31 – Don’t bother the RightWingNutters around here with simple things like “demonstrable facts” and “verifiable truths”. If Faux Noise isn’t trumpeting something, then it simply can NOT exist!