The Ax Watch
By
Kathryn S. Wenner
Kathryn S. Wenner, a former AJR associate editor, is a copy editor at the Washington Post.
News organizations keep shedding staffers. Here's what's gone down since mid-February: CNBC.com laid off 26 of its 100 full-time Internet employees, and CNBC cut 4 percent, or about 20, broadcast employees. The reason: combining Web and TV operations and meeting demands for layoffs throughout NBC, says CNBC spokesman Paul Capelli. In its second round of firings this year, Standard Media International pink-slipped 69 of about 400 workers at The Industry Standard, blaming "current market conditions." Walt Disney Internet Group slashed 135 positions, most at ABCNews.com and ABC.com, as it tries to become profitable. Since January, the company has jettisoned about 25 percent of its workforce. Also, in early March, Dow Jones & Company and the San Jose Mercury News announced planned reductions in personnel due to decreasing advertising revenues. At press time, neither company knew how many people would be affected, but the Merc said there would be no layoffs in the newsroom. ###
|
