Buyouts and layoffs in Minneapolis

[2muchcoffeeman]

No reporters on the block, but copy editors, photo editors and photographers should apparently be very nervous. Slightly more than a 10-percent cut in the newsroom.

http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2010/01/06/14735/star_tribune_layoffs_spare_reporters_target_copy_editors_photographers

 

[Riddick]

This just amazes me. Why does management subscribe to the theory that they can just make writers write perfect stories to avoid the use of copy editors?
****in pricks.

 

[Joe Williams]

Of all the newspapers wrongheadedly laying off copy editors, the one that has Sid Hartman submitting copy should be the absolute last.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

This just amazes me. Why does management subscribe to the theory that they can just make writers write perfect stories to avoid the use of copy editors?
****in pricks.

I'm convinced that something in the training process makes them stupid.

 

[MileHigh]

This just amazes me. Why does management subscribe to the theory that they can just make writers write perfect stories to avoid the use of copy editors?
****in pricks.

Because reporters will now have to do mandatory spell check on their stories so that will solve everything.

 

[fishwrapper]

I've been part of the inside operation for close to 20 years. And -- unfortunately -- have had to make this choice a few times.
When it comes down to it, the choice is an easy one.
You need the boots on the ground and original content. It all sucks. But, this is one less suck.
(Pretty awful to type that and I did so putting aside personal feelings.)

 

[WriteThinking]

This just amazes me. Why does management subscribe to the theory that they can just make writers write perfect stories to avoid the use of copy editors?
****in pricks.

I'm convinced that something in the training process makes them stupid.

It is probably more a matter of logical elimination than it is thinking the paper really doesn't need copy editors.

The fact is, by the time people get into management, they no longer want to do all the legwork of reporting. That's very often even a large part of why people move to the desk eventually, or want to do so.

Most managers would rather do copy-editing, where they can sit in one place, work regular hours, etc., than they would work on a reporter's responsibilities, or schedule. So, if they have to make cuts, they figure they can pitch in on the desk, and that's what they'd rather do.

And, since they're not going to cut themselves, and since they're looking to save as much money as possible and cutting copy editors over reporters usually makes sense in that way, too, well...the copy editors end up getting the short end of the stick.

It's all part of what I call the "trickle-up" effect, and it happens often.

 

[fishhack2009]

Of all the newspapers wrongheadedly laying off copy editors, the one that has Sid Hartman submitting copy should be the absolute last.

This. Why a shriveled-up hack like Hartman still has a job is one of the seven wonders of our illustrious business.

 

[Machine Head]

Sid is Sid.

Say what you want, but he's earned the right to work as long as he wants.

 

[Ace]

In this business it's better to be a content provider than not be a content provider.

Bottom line is you could publish if you had writers and no copy editors. You couldn't if you had copy editors and no writers.

Plus, a copy editor could be sitting in Indiana India correcting your noun-verb disagreement.

 

[steveu]

Sid's a Minneapolis legend. He dictates when he retires. Not trying to be difficult, but it is what it is. (Sorry.)

Newshole isn't changing, according to the executive editor, so no space cuts at least. Hey, it sucks, but it could have been a LOT worse.

 

[deskslave]

The fact is, by the time people get into management, they no longer want to do all the legwork of reporting. That's very often even a large part of why people move to the desk eventually, or want to do so.

Yep. All copy editors are just reporters who didn't feel like working hard anymore.

I hope that as a reporter you never wonder why it seems like the desk doesn't like you.

 

[Ace]

The fact is, by the time people get into management, they no longer want to do all the legwork of reporting. That's very often even a large part of why people move to the desk eventually, or want to do so.

Yep. All copy editors are just reporters who didn't feel like working hard anymore.

I hope that as a reporter you never wonder why it seems like the desk doesn't like you.

I know plenty of reporters who don't want to do the legwork of reporting as well.

 

[apseloser]

Maybe they're trying to improve morale by cutting copy editors, since nearly every one I've ever met or worked with at 5 papers — big and small — has been a woe-is-me whiner who thinks they're unheralded and has to boast every time they fix an error in a writer's story that was filed 2 minutes after the buzzer.

 

[Riddick]

Maybe they're trying to improve morale by cutting copy editors, since nearly every one I've ever met or worked with at 5 papers — big and small — has been a woe-is-me whiner who thinks they're unheralded and has to boast every time they fix an error in a writer's story that was filed 2 minutes after the buzzer.

I hope you just forgot to activate the blue font

 

[forever_town]

Say what you want, but he's earned the right to work as long as he wants.

How?

I subscribe to the theory that you're only as good as your last story/column, etc. If you start phoning it in, you should retire.

 

[deskslave]

Maybe they're trying to improve morale by cutting copy editors, since nearly every one I've ever met or worked with at 5 papers — big and small — has been a woe-is-me whiner who thinks they're unheralded and has to boast every time they fix an error in a writer's story that was filed 2 minutes after the buzzer.

I hope you just forgot to activate the blue font

I'm sure he didn't.

And of course, reporters are the only ones who have to cope with deadline pressure. Of course, copy editors don't get to do it from a front-row seat, while getting paid to watch a game, with free food, and lackeys to run around collecting stats and quotes for them.

See? I can play the stereotyping game too! :D

 

[Machine Head]

Say what you want, but he's earned the right to work as long as he wants.

How?

I subscribe to the theory that you're only as good as your last story/column, etc. If you start phoning it in, you should retire.

If you think Sid is phoning it in you obviously don't know the MSP market.

 

[Ace]

Maybe they're trying to improve morale by cutting copy editors, since nearly every one I've ever met or worked with at 5 papers — big and small — has been a woe-is-me whiner who thinks they're unheralded and has to boast every time they fix an error in a writer's story that was filed 2 minutes after the buzzer.

I hope you just forgot to activate the blue font

I'm sure he didn't.

And of course, reporters are the only ones who have to cope with deadline pressure. Of course, copy editors don't get to do it from a front-row seat, while getting paid to watch a game, with free food, and lackeys to run around collecting stats and quotes for them.

See? I can play the stereotyping game too! :D

The lackeys are the only reason I'm still in the business.

 

[SixToe]

Say what you want, but he's earned the right to work as long as he wants.

Bull****.

There are far more productive journalists and reporters among the five-figure thousands laid off, bought our or forced out in the last year than him. **** him. The people taking care of kids, repaying student loans, caring for elder parents, etc., damn sure need work more than someone who is hanging on far too long.