Times to cut newsroom staff and pages published

Editor Russ Stanton's announcement to staff:

You all know the paradox we find ourselves in: Thanks to the Internet, we have more readers for our great journalism than at any time in our history. But also thanks to the Internet, our advertisers have more choices, and we have less money. Add to that a poor economy, particularly for us in the California housing market, and you quickly see why a wave of cutbacks has swept through newsrooms this year from New York to Santa Ana.

We are not immune. As David Hiller mentioned in his memo last week we are embarking on another round of cost cutting. I deeply regret to report we will be reducing the size of our editorial staff, both print and Web, by a total of 150 positions, and reducing the number of pages we publish each week, by about 15%.

These moves will be difficult and painful. But it is absolutely crucial that as we move through this process, we must maintain our ambition and our determination to produce the highest-quality journalism in print and online, every day.

Through all of our changes, we continue to give readers terrific coverage, whether it's the continuing collapse of the housing market, public pools that have been taken over by gangs, or the controversy surrounding liver transplants at one of our most prestigious hospitals. We've provided insight into the historic presidential campaign, and we've delivered exclusive, on-the-scene looks at the brutal repression in Zimbabwe and the continuing war in Iraq. The future of The Times, in print and on the Web, depends on that kind of journalism -- exclusive, original, excellent. We will not retreat from that commitment.

I don't yet have all the details on the reductions to come, but we expect to complete these moves by Labor Day. We'll provide more information, including the severance terms, as soon as we can. As part of this process, we will be combining the print and Web staffs into a single operation with a unified budget.

I appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation during this difficult time. John, Davan and I, and the rest of the senior editing team, will be available to answer your questions. With more than 700 people, we will remain one of the largest and best newsrooms in the country. And we will continue to be a strong and formidable presence in the business we so dearly love.

Comments

[Faux Paper]

It saddens me about more cuts at the L.A. Times. Doing more with less is highly improbable. Doing less with less is what Angelenos is getting. Come back, Chandlers, your legacy is being tarnished.

[Jack de Lowe]

The reason the la times needs to cut production and jobs is that enough people have unsubscribed to the publication because the la times does not print the truth.
It has taken people a long time to catch on to your slanted news, but the reality has set in. Readers have found alternative sources for their news even in Los Angeles.
Changes your ways and you may be able to attract some of this readership back. In fact, you might even attract new readers. Failure to do so and you will continue on a long downward spiral.

[Dave]

I have no sympathy for this Liberal spin machine called the L.A. Times. They are notorious for their slant, indoctrination, and errors.

Best newsroom in the country? HA! Try Fox for that. Thank you Murdoch, and also the interent.

Lastly, I thank Craigslist. Since their inception, classified revenue for CA newpapers has been reduced by MILLIONS. Boo Hoo, welcome to 2008. Sauce for the goose, I say!

[Mordecai Brown]

Why don't you just close the newspaper now and get it over it? Because the shabby way you are treating both your employees and your customers, killing the wounded animal is more humane that continuing to cut it and watch it slowly bleed to death. This is pathetic.

[Des]

The Los Angeles Times is the assignment desk for local TV and radio stations. Without strong newspapers, broadcast news will suffer.

[Becky]

So sorry to hear this news! I do a weekly news brief and always look in the LA Times for good articles, especially the business sectoin. Best of luck.

[Martin Zelbow]

I was dismayed to read - online, of course - of your further staff cutbacks and 15% reduction in the number of pages in your newspaper. Having just mailed you a check for my subscription, will I receive a rebate or will it be extended for more days?

Seriously, if the quality of your reporting declines, then I think my time and money will be better spend on other reading material.

Martin Zelbow
Cathedral City