Rusty GateHouse Media Swinging Shut on Copy Editors as Production Centralized

Image via WikipediaContinuing a trend in the financially beleaguered newspaper industry, GateHouse Media Inc. plans to consolidate the copy editing function among its member papers according to size, the Illinois Times and WUIS News blog report.

The headline writing, copy proofreading and page design functions for GateHouse papers whose circulation exceeds 5,000 will be handled from its Downers Grove (Ill.) facility, while smaller member papers will have their copy editing done centrally from a location in New England.

GateHouse management would not confirm the reports, but the consolidation is expected to result in 10 copy editor positions being axed at the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal Register. The imminent change sent GateHouse stock skyrocketing a penny to seven cents a share at the market's close Tuesday.