http://www.newsguild.org News and headlines about the media industry from the Guild Reporter Copyright 2005 The Newspaper Guild en-us Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:00:59 -0500 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:00:59 -0500 http://newsguild.org/rss/reporter.gif http://www.newsguild.org 119 50 http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8672 Facing massive cutbacks and "unconscionable" slashes in compensation, Reuters reporters took to the streets at noon March 5 in downtown Washington, DC, determined to win their fight for a fair contract. As a giant inflatable union rat drew attention from lunchtime commuters, the workers blasted, "They say cutback, we say fight back" through their bullhorns and waved signs reading, "Reuters pay cuts equal quality cuts" while they circled the sidewalk. http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8672 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0309-tribune--20100308,0,2275374,full.story Tribune Co.’s Virginia newspaper plans to outsource the editing and designing of much of its content to the newsroom of its corporate flagship, the Chicago Tribune, in a bid to reduce costs and focus resources on local coverage. "I’m sure they can produce something plausible in Chicago to run in those papers, but it’ll be just ever so much more out of touch with readers," said Alan Mutter, a former Chicago Sun-Times city editor who’s now a Silicon Valley-based consultant. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0309-tribune--20100308,0,2275374,full.story http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/448011-Waldman_No_FCC_Bailouts_in_Store_for_Media.php Steven Waldman, senior advisor to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, believes there is no harm in the decline and fall of broadcast outlets and newspapers — so long as there is something immediately set to replace their useful function of delivering news and civic information. Waldman is charged with coming up with a report to the commission on the state and fate of the media in the midst of radical change. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/448011-Waldman_No_FCC_Bailouts_in_Store_for_Media.php http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100308/FREE/100309855 The Akron unit of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of The Newspaper Guild has avoided a possible union strike by ratifying a three-year agreement with the Akron Beacon Journal. The agreement includes a 2.11% decrease to base pay, a reduction in the work week to 37.5 hours from 40 and a week of unpaid vacation in 2010. The contract also has layoff protection for the next 18 months, with wages and hours reverting back to previous levels if a notice is given. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100308/FREE/100309855 http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=35577FCB-18FE-70B2-A867A5D9F642BD99 From a glitzy new office in downtown Washington, the ideological war over the media is fully engaged. Six years after its founding to counter what it said was “conservative misinformation,” Media Matters for America employs a staff of 70 that spends 19 hours a day monitoring newspapers, magazines, broadcast and cable television, talk radio, and the Internet to counter reporting or commentary it deems to be inaccurate or biased. http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=35577FCB-18FE-70B2-A867A5D9F642BD99 http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100306/NEWS01/3060347/Honolulu%20Advertiser%20owner%20Gannett%20partly%20financed%20sale%20to%20rival Gannett Co.is providing more than $40 million to help finance the Honolulu Star-Bulletin’s purchase of The Honolulu Advertiser, which Gannett owns, according to an executive involved in structuring the deal. The sale is expected to result in the merger of the two rival newspapers and significant layoffs. "I’m shocked that Gannett would be financing the deal," said Wayne Cahill, administrative officer for the Hawaii Newspaper Guild. http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100306/NEWS01/3060347/Honolulu%20Advertiser%20owner%20Gannett%20partly%20financed%20sale%20to%20rival http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100308/NEWS01/3080323/Unions Hundreds of employees of Honolulu’s two daily newspapers gathered at Washington Middle School yesterday to sort out their options in the face of the proposed purchase of The Advertiser by the rival Star-Bulletin’s owner. Workers from six unions at the two-hour meeting heard their leaders exhort them to press hard for a contract by the time the deal is consummated, and to take a strong stand to preserve their jobs. http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100308/NEWS01/3080323/Unions http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8662 To succeed more in unionization drives, the nation’s unions must tie their organizing efforts and their goals for a first contract together, says the AFL-CIO’s new Organizing Director. “Every organizing drive from the very beginning has to be a drive to get a first contract. The old model of organizing, then wishing and hoping the employer would come to the (bargaining) table isn’t working,” Elizabeth Bunn said. http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8662 http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/jobs_picture_20100305/ This morning’s Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report showed 36,000 payroll jobs lost in February, with unemployment remaining at 9.7%. But the underemployment rate rose from 16.5% to 16.8%, and the long-term unemployment rate — the percent of the labor force that has been unemployed for more than six months — dwarfs even the recession of the early 1980s, which was marked by extremely high unemployment. http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/jobs_picture_20100305/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/asper-move-marks-end-of-an-era-beginning-of-a-new-battle/article1490277/ Although Leonard Asper has resigned as chief executive officer of CanWest Global Communications Corp., he is not yet willing to let go of the company founded by his father and continues working on a potential bid to stay on as a key investor in CanWest. But because the company and its board have supported a recent deal to bring in cable giant Shaw Communications Inc. as a 20% investor, Asper’s rival bid is now in conflict, essentially forcing him to step down as CEO. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/asper-move-marks-end-of-an-era-beginning-of-a-new-battle/article1490277/ http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0305-tribune-suit--20100304,0,978399.story A group of Tribune Co. creditors have sued the banks behind the Chicago-based publisher’s 2007 leveraged buyout, saying the $8 billion in loans they arranged for the deal doomed it to bankruptcy. Wilmington Trust Co., the agent for bondholders who are owed $1.2 billion, filed the lawsuit Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., against JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Citibank, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0305-tribune-suit--20100304,0,978399.story http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2010/03/04/16435/pioneer_press_overlords_emerge_from_bankruptcy_with_nice_payday In a blistering six weeks, Denver-based Affiliated Media — the holding company for MediaNews Group — has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. That means MediaNews president Jody Lodovic will get a $250,000 bonus on top of a $500,000 bonus for his work on the bankruptcy, on top of the $1 million salary and a $500,000 annual bonus. Lodovic, of course, is one of the two main leaders who got Affiliated Media into trouble in the first place. Nice work if you can get it. http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2010/03/04/16435/pioneer_press_overlords_emerge_from_bankruptcy_with_nice_payday http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004072660 The Tribune Co. wants a Delaware bankruptcy judge to dismiss its motion to approve two management bonus plans worth more than $20 million. The company said Thursday it wants to include the bonuses in its reorganization plan, rather than have the judge rule on them separately. But the Washington-Baltimore Guild, representing employees of The Baltimore Sun, disagreed and a March 23 hearing has been scheduled. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004072660 http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004072687 Community newspaper publisher GateHouse Media Inc. reported a fourth-quarter after-tax loss from continuing operations of $3.78 million after markets closed Thursday. The results were a big improvement over the year-ago quarterly loss of $182 million, which included a $155 million non-cash charge for goodwill and masthead impairments. The Q4 revenue decline of 10.5% represented a moderating decline from the previous quarter. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004072687 http://gawker.com/5485542/labor-strife-abroad-for-nyt A tipster sends this dramatic action photo of International Herald Tribune staffers protesting against their penurious overlord NYT Co. for "laying off people and forcing them to go to Hong Kong or quit." Solidaridad! http://gawker.com/5485542/labor-strife-abroad-for-nyt http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004072572 Affiliated Media Inc., the holding company for Denver Post parent MediaNews Group, won court approval of its its reorganization plan today. The plan, approved by Judge Kevin J. Carey of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, reduces the company’s debt from $930 million to $165 million and paves the way for the company to emerge from Chapter 11 six weeks after filing. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004072572 http://www.savethenews.org/blog/10/03/03/people-are-passionate-about-good-journalism Recently, I had the pleasure of traveling with John Nichols and Bob McChesney on their book tour to promote "The Death and Life of American Journalism." Whether we were at bookstores, in classrooms or at large town halls, the events were always filled to capacity, packed with fellow citizens wanting to know how to “save journalism.” People were desperate to transform their communities’ newspapers and local television stations into vibrant centers of cultural and civic life. http://www.savethenews.org/blog/10/03/03/people-are-passionate-about-good-journalism http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/03/01/daily29.html Any delay in confirming the bankruptcy plan of Affiliated Media Inc. — parent of Denver Post publisher MediaNews Group Inc. — will hurt the company’s business, its chief financial officer warned in a court filing. Delay also, as it happens, would hurt the income of MediaNews Group President Joseph Lodovic, who already has received a $500,000 bonus for his work on the bankruptcy filing but who will get an additional $250,000 bonus if the plan is approved by the end of March. http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/03/01/daily29.html http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8651 The Democratic Obama administration is giving only verbal support, and nothing more, for the Employee Free Choice Act, a top legislative priority of organized labor — the movement that played a big part in propelling the president into the Oval Office in 2008. That much was evident March 3 when Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who addressed the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting in Orlando, Fla., barely mentioned EFCA. http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8651 http://www.thestar.com/business/article/774868--leonard-asper-quits-as-canwest-ceo Leonard Asper has resigned as the president and CEO of restructuring media company Canwest Global Communications. Asper, the son of late Canwest founder Izzy Asper, says he’s stepping down to avoid any potential conflict of interest as the company sells it assets under a massive restructuring process. Canwest owns the Global TV network and a number of major Canadian daily newspapers including the National Post, the Montreal Gazette and the Ottawa Citizen. http://www.thestar.com/business/article/774868--leonard-asper-quits-as-canwest-ceo http://www.indystar.com/section/PluckForum?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat:b6d4564b-a6ec-4b8e-bb74-56388809ef99Forum:79880248-d3bb-4617-a442-17e53e2a997cDiscussion:43c16825-4c89-4df1-b4cb-661f0df08af3 Favorable views of labor unions have plummeted since 2007, amid growing public skepticism about unions’ purpose and power. Currently, 41% say they have a favorable opinion of labor unions while about as many (42%) express an unfavorable opinion. A Gallup Poll last September found that for first time since in its polling history back to the 1930s, fewer than half of Americans (48%) approve of labor unions. http://www.indystar.com/section/PluckForum?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat:b6d4564b-a6ec-4b8e-bb74-56388809ef99Forum:79880248-d3bb-4617-a442-17e53e2a997cDiscussion:43c16825-4c89-4df1-b4cb-661f0df08af3 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/black-press-founder-joins-canwest-paper-chase/article1488734/ B.C. newspaper magnate David Black is making a bid for CanWest LP’s chain of dailies, adding a major industry player to an auction that has now attracted a half-dozen groups. If successful, Black would suddenly become the country’s largest newspaper baron. Sources said the most likely backer of the Black bid is Platinum Equity LLC, a California private equity firm that recruited him as a consultant to help it enter the newspaper business last year with the purchase of the San Diego Union-Tribune. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/black-press-founder-joins-canwest-paper-chase/article1488734/ http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100303/NEWS01/3030342/Hawaii+newspaper+purchase+backed+by+Toronto+insurance+firm A Canadian insurance giant, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. of Toronto, will provide much of the financial backing for Honolulu Star-Bulletin owner David Black’s purchase of The Honolulu Advertiser. Fairfax had been a major investor in Canadian media companies such as Torstar Corp., owner of the Toronto Star newspaper, which has had to write off an earlier investment in Black’s company because of its losses. http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100303/NEWS01/3030342/Hawaii+newspaper+purchase+backed+by+Toronto+insurance+firm http://www.pjstar.com/news/x776893725/Journal-Star-announces-newsroom-staffing-reductions The Journal Star in Peoria yesterday announced the reduction of six Guild-represented positions in its news department, from the copy desk, the web unit and the news clerical staff. The layoffs take effect April 2. Last December the Journal Star eliminated two managerial positions in the news department and its Springfield news bureau position. http://www.pjstar.com/news/x776893725/Journal-Star-announces-newsroom-staffing-reductions http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8645 The labor movement is pissed off, in so many words, at the Obama administration — and, some leaders say, they’re only reflecting views of their members. That’s what came through after the AFL-CIO Executive Council, meeting in Orlando, Fla., spent two hours on the morning of March 2 behind closed doors venting its frustration with a Democratic president and Democratic-run Congress whom its members played a top role in electing last year. http://www.newsguild.org/index.php?ID=8645