Miami Herald Offers Buy Outs

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Full-time copy editors, photographers and columnists at the McClatchy Co.-owned Miami Herald have been offered severance packages if they opt to accept the euphemistic voluntary separation program, according to the Romanesko.com Web site.

Herald Executive Editor Mindy Marques sent a memo to qualified Herald staffers that Romanesko obtained. Herald staffers were forced to take an unpaid one-week furlough earlier this year (see "TUOL" post 1/15/13) as the paper grapples with reduced circulation and shrinking ad revenues.

Ft. Worth Star-Telegram Pares Staff; Will Be Printed by Dallas Morning News

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

McClatchy Co.-owned Ft. Worth Star-Telegram is slashing its workforce by 275 and will be printed by The Dallas Morning News beginning in the First Quarter of 2014, the Dallas Business Journal reported today.

Seventy-five full-time and 200 part-time staffers are being trimmed by the Star-Telegram, and will be eligible for benefits and severance pay. The Morning News may hire a dozen workers to handle the extra printing load, the Business Journal reported.

The two Texas dailies have shared editorial content in recent years.

Miami Herald to Launch Caliente Tabloid This Month

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

McClatchy Co.-owned The Miami Herald this month will debut Caliente, a tabloid aimed at the city's substantial Spanish-speaking community.

Initially uncovered by the Random Pixels blog and later reported by The Huffington Post, roughly 70,000 copies of Caliente will be distributed to targeted neighborhoods in Little Havana and Hialeah beginning Sept. 18. Caliente will not be staffed by reporters from either the Miami Herald or its Spanish counterpart, El Nuevo Herald, according to the HuffPo article. The tabloid will include Latin American news, celebrity gossip, sports, horoscopes, articles about telenovelas and, in what already is a lightning rod attracting criticism, a Chica Caliente feature boasting a bikini model.

Ay! Caramba. Maybe the tabloid should be called Sol because it apes Rupert Murdoch's The Sun in its penchant for scantily clad women.

McClatchy Second Quarter Profits Plunge

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sacramento, Calif.-based media conglomerate The McClatchy Company reported a dramatic decline in Second Quarter earnings compared to a year ago, as print advertising and newspaper circulation continues to crumble industry-wide.

Net income for Q2 was $11.8 million, down from $26.9 million over the comparable period a year ago. Profits fell $5 million to $11.1 million, compared to the 2012 second quarter total of $16.1 million. Total Second Quarter revenues reached $308.8 million, a 3.5 percent decrease from results a year ago.

McClatchy owns 30 daily newspapers and numerous weeklies nationwide.

Feeling the Financial Pinch: Miami Herald Staffers Face Furlough

 (Photo credit: Mangrove Mike)

Full-time staffers at the Biscayne Bay, Fla.-based Miami Herald must take an unpaid one-week furlough during the first half of 2013, the McClatchy Co.-owned daily told its workforce in a staff memo, JimRomanesko.com reported today.

Like much of the newspaper industry, the Herald continues to battle sagging circulation and shrinking ad revenues. The paper has endured newsroom layoffs (see "TUOL" posts 5/4/11, 9/17/10).

The furlough affects those among the approximate 800 Miami Herald employees who work a 40-hour week, the Romanesko post noted.

Ft. Worth Editorial Massacre

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)Newspapers don't re-shift their emphasis to digital media platforms without bloodletting, and according to media Web site Romanesko.com, pink slips are flying fast and furiously in the newsroom of the McClatchy Co.-owned Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

A dozen editorial staffers, including several copy editors and Managing Editor Lois Norder, are the latest casualties in the daily's restructuring, according to Romanesko. Reportedly, Kathy Vetter, the paper's managing editor for digital, will be in charge of the paper's whole local news operation.

UPDATE: Fired Star Columnist Sues Paper Over Plagiarism Allegations

(Photo credit: CoolValley)Almost a year after being terminated allegedly for multiple verbatim use of press releases in his writings without attribution, former Kansas City Star Metro columnist Steve Penn, 54, has sued the McClatchy Co.-owned daily for defamation, the Star reports.

Penn, a 31-year Star veteran who had written a Metro column since 2000, alleges in his complaint filed in Jackson County Circuit Court that reproducing press release content in articles without crediting the source was widespread, common practice at the daily. He alleges he was defamed by the Star and seeks $25,000 compensatory damages and punitive damages.

His former employer cited a dozen instances in which Penn purportedly used press release text without attribution. (See "TUOL" post 7/14/11.) The litigation is scheduled for mediation and a November hearing before Judge Ann Mesle, according to a Star article.

Newsrooms Continued to Shrink in 2011

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)The largest U.S. newspaper publishers last year combined trimmed their work force more than 7 percent, according to a review of Securities & Exchange Commission filings by Media Daily News (www.mediapost.com).

A.H. Belo, owner of the Dallas Morning News and Providence Journal, among other papers, slashed its job force by 13.6 percent compared to 2010 figures, while its revenues declined 5.3 percent. Media General shrank its newsroom personnel by 9.7 percent, almost matching a 9.1 drop in revenues.

Likewise, the Washington Post Co. newspaper division cut its work force 4.5 percent and suffered a 5 percent decrease in revenues. The McClatchy Co., which owns 30 dailies, reduced its work force by 11.5 percent and experienced a 7.4 percent drop in advertising revenues.

The Gannett Co. axed 6.7 percent of the workers in its publishing division as publishing revenues declined 5.7 percent. E.W. Scripps grew its television holdings, but cut 6.7 percent of its newspaper employees.

The New York Times Co. was the winner among the losers, as it were, lopping off only 2 percent of its newsroom staff, in line with a modest 2.9 percent decrease in revenues. Rounding out the depressing Media Daily News article, Lee Enterprises endured a 6.5 percent drop in staff size, while operating revenues were down 3.1 percent.

Correspondent Out-'Foxed' in Discrimination Lawsuit

Image via WikipediaIn EEOC v. Fox News Network (Case No. 10-1660(RJL)), U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Richard J. Leon last week granted summary judgment for the defendant against sex and age discrimination claims brought by its Washington, D.C.-based homeland and national security correspondent Catherine Herridge.

Herridge, Fox's highest paid Washington bureau correspondent, sought relief, including punitive damages, alleging she was financially retaliated against during contract negotiations with the news organization, according to McClatchy Co. blog Suits & Sentences. Fox apparently offered Herridge a three-year contract renewal that paid $495,000 in Year 1, followed by annual increases to $530,000 and $570,000, which she countered, initially with a request that started at $621,000 in the first year and grew to $821,000 by year 3 and then subsequently changed to $900,000 in the first year and a request she be assigned anchor duties.

In his 17-page Memorandum of Opinion, Judge Leon ruled Herridge failed to prove financial injury, and branded her salary demand "astronomical."  Judge Leon wrote: "Herridge's allegations of retaliation, and her eagerness to blame Fox News for delays in salary negotiations are belied by persistent and unfeasible demands detailed in the record."

Apparently, the Court found Fox News made a liberal contract offer to Herridge that would ensure her personal security, if not national security.

NSA Deflects FOIA Challenge About Possible Google Ties

Image via WikipediaWhether the National Security Agency has forged a relationship with Internet search engine colossus Google will remain under wraps for now as the NSA successfully rebuffed a document request by public interest watchdog group, the Electronic Privacy Information Center ("EPIC") under the Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. sec. 552 et seq.].

As reported by Suits & Sentences, a blog published by The McClatchy Co. media conglomerate, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Richard J. Leon denied EPIC's FOIA document request, relying on Exemption 3 of the sunshine law. The restriction holds that material does not have to be produced that is otherwise protected from disclosure by another statute; in this case, one that guards "the organization or any function of the National Security Agency, [or] any information with respect to the activities thereof," the Suits & Sentences post noted.

The NSA ain't talkin' about whether it has worked with Google.  EPIC initially filed its FOIA request after stories emerged concerning a possible connection between the NSA and Google regarding a cyber attack by hackers in China.

The case is Electronic Privacy Information Center v. National Security Agency (Case No. 1:2010-cv-01533).

Sacramento Bee Stung By More Staff Layoffs

Image via WikipediaThe McClatchy Co.-owned Sacramento Bee has slashed its work force by 6 percent, including nine newsroom slots among the 44 eliminated positions, according to The Sacramento Business Journal.

Bee management blamed lagging circulation and diminished advertising revenues for the latest round of cutbacks. First Quarter results in April reflected a 9.5 percent decline in  revenues and an 11 percent decrease in advertising revenues compared to corresponding figures in 2010. (See "TUOL" posts 5/4/11 & 2/1/11.)


The Sacramento Business Journal reported that the Bee has shed roughly 400 jobs over the past three years, halving its staff from 1,400 to 700 since March 2008. Those receiving pink slips are eligible for severance pay commensurate with their length of service.

The Bee is one of 30 dailies owned by McClatchy Co, the nation's third-largest newspaper chain, which overall, has eliminated more than 4,300 staff positions from its stable of newspapers dating back to June 2008, according to the Journal article.

McClatchy McCutting Jobs Again

Image via WikipediaMedia monolith McClatchy Co., which boasts 30 daily newspapers among its communications companies, is cutting 50 editorial positions in the wake of its recently announced poor First Quarter performance that saw a near 10 percent decline in revenues (see "TUOL" post 4/26/11).

The Kansas City Star is dumping 24 jobs and dropping vacant positions, The Raleigh News & Observer is eliminating 20 slots through buyouts and layoffs and The Miami Herald is eliminating 35 vacant positions and slashing 15 jobs, according to Mediabistro.com's "mediajobsdaily" blog. Earlier this year, The Sacramento Bee and The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, also McClatchy dailies, completed a round of staff cutbacks (see "TUOL" posts 2/9/11 & 2/1/11).

McClatchy Co. Reports 1Q Earnings Decline

Image via WikipediaSacramento, Calif.-based media conglomerate McClatchy Co. today reported First Quarter revenues in 2011 were 9.5 percent lower than the corresponding period in 2010.

McClatchy, which counts 30 daily newspapers and numerous weeklies among its holdings, saw ad revenues in 1Q of 2011 plunge 11 percent, while circulation decreased by 5 percent compared to a year ago. Layoffs at McClatchy papers such as The Sacramento Bee and The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram have been chronicled in this blog (see "TUOL" posts 2/9/11, 2/1/11).

Fed Judge Quashes Street Performer's Subpoena of Globe Journo

Image via WikipediaIn Bruce Peck v. City of Boston(Civil Action No. 09-10606-JGD (D. Mass)), In re Subpoena to Donovan Slack (Misc. Case No. 11-00073(BAH)), U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Beryl A. Howell this week quashed a subpoena of Boston Globe reporter Donovan Slack by the plaintiff, a street performer, who alleges the City of Boston has violated his First Amendment rights.

As reported by Suits & Sentences, a legal blog by media conglomerate the McClatchy Co., Peck sought Slack's testimony based on an article she wrote in August 2008, entitled A Rhythmic, Rocking Cradle of Liberty No More, City Corrals Street Artists at Faneuil Hall, that detailed restrictions imposed by the Hub on street performers that confined them to a small space where they could display their talents to the tourists who flood the shops, restaurants and bars at Faneuil Hall.

Slack invoked reporter's privilege when she received the subpoena, and Judge Howell, in a 14-page decision, ruled that Peck failed to show that he attempted to secure the information he believed Slack possessed from alternative sources before resorting to the extraordinary remedy of subpoenaing Slack. Judge Howell voiced First Amendment concerns in noting that reporters' testimony should be compelled as a last resort, and chided the plaintiff for not detailing his efforts to obtain the information before pursuing Slack.

Star-Telegram Reduces Staff Fort What It's Worth

Image by QuesterMark via FlickrMore bad news for Sacramento-based McClatchy Co. A week after announcing staff reductions at The Charlotte Observer and The Sacramento Bee (see "TUOL" post 2/1/11), the media conglomerate turned its sites on The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which slashed 32 positions through layoffs and by offering a voluntary severance package, the Dallas Business Journal reports.

Additionally, the daily eliminated an unspecified number of open slots.  Star-Telegram management did not offer a breakdown of the staff cuts, so it's unknown how many newsroom slots were affected. The pink slips arrived the same day as McClatchy announced its Fourth Quarter earnings, which are down a whopping 42 percent compared to the same period in 2009.

The faltering economy, changing readers' tastes and paltry advertising continue to take their toll on print journalism outlets.

Sacramento Bee Stung By More Layoffs

Image via Wikipedia
Twenty-nine employees, including sports editor Bill Bradley and two newsroom photographers, are being laid off by the McClatchy Co.-owned Sacramento Bee, according to a report in trade publication Editor & Publisher.


Circulation and Production departments are being hardest hit by the latest round of layoffs and buyouts. In the past two-and-a-half years, the Sacramento  Bee has endured five rounds of staff cutbacks in the face of shrinking advertising and flagging circulation.

Miami (Herald) Vise Tightens With Further Staff Layoffs

Image via Wikipedia
The McClatchy Co.-owned Miami Herald has slashed its staff by 49 through combined layoffs and voluntary buyouts.


Seven full-time and two part-time newsroom slots at the Herald were eliminated, as were four full-time and two part-time editorial positions at El Nuevo Herald, according to a story in Business Week. The cost-cutting measure comes a year after staffers endured pay cuts and the Herald underwent a 15 percent reduction in its work force in response to sagging circulation and a severe drop in advertising lineage.

UPDATE: Some Positives in McClatchy Second Quarter Report

Image via Wikipedia

The McClatchy Co., owner of 50 daily newspapers, doubled its earnings compared to second quarter results a year ago, the media conglomerate announced today.

McClatchy earned 50 cents a share or $42.2 million net income compared to 2008 second quarter figures of 24 cents a share and $20 million profit respectively. Although the company bettered the forecast of Wall St. analysts and media naysayers, they're not uncorking the champagne at the company's Sacramento headquarters just yet as there was plenty of bad news to go around.

Reported advertising revenue of $283.7 million was down 30 percent from a year ago and total classifieds were down nearly 41 percent. McClatchy executives promised not to violate bank covenants in 2009, even if there is no uptick in advertising revenues over the remainder of 2009.

McClatchy Co. To Release 2nd Q. Results Tuesday

Image by djdau via Flickr

The McClatchy Co., will release second quarter earnings results in a conference call tomorrow, as some analysts speculate the media conglomerate may be embarking on a new chapter--Chapter 11.

The bankruptcy card, already played by the Tribune Co., is one option facing McClatchy, which continues to suffer from declining ad revenues in the down economy. Darkening the bleak picture is the more than $2 billion in debt the Sacramento, Calif.-based company is carrying, largely from its 2006 acquisition of Knight-Ridder. Bondholders recently eschewed efforts by the company to restructure its obligations to reduce its debt by $900 million, with only 9 percent of the bondholders willing to go along.

McClatchy owns 50 daily newspapers, including The Miami Herald, The (Columbia, SC) State, The Anchorage Daily News, and The Sacramento Bee, along with weekly newspapers and a 15 percent stake in Careerbuilder, among its holdings. Ad revenues sank 30 percent in the first quarter and were down 18 percent for all of 2008. McClatchy stock (MNI) is trading at 50 cents a share today.