Intern's blog: SP Times layoffs "almost certain," according to publisher

The worst thing about being in Los Angeles for an extended period, is missing out when news breaks back home. Last year, I was headed to a press conference here for the debut of TMZ's TV show when Creative Loafing announced it was buying the Washington City Paper and the Reader in Chicago.

Now, the Poynter Institute's media news site Romenesko has unearthed a blog post from an intern at the St. Petersburg Times quoting publisher Marty Petty saying layoffs are "almost certain" after our first round of buyouts and that bureaus will be consolidated in size, starting with the Pasco bureau. This may come as news to many full-time staffers, who did not hear such direct language during huge meetings with Petty and editor in chief Paul Tash weeks ago.

(UPDATE: it appears the post has been removed from the intern's blog, so my previous link has been removed as well)

This is the second time a blog post from an intern has delivered insider news on staff reductions at a Tampa Bay area newspaper. My Facebook friend Wayne Garcia published an interesting story in this week's Creative Loafing which mentions Tampa Tribune intern Jessica DaSilva -- who wrote an earnest post about the newspaper's changing focus amid layoffs and earned a huge ration of criticism as a result (I think much of that was misplaced rage directed by folks who are highly critical of the Tribune's management).

Wayne also offered a blog item about something I wasn't aware of: The Times has worked out a deal to distribute Creative Loafing's newspapers, despite also publishing a competing free weekly, TBT*. Garcia says Creative Loafing sent a memo to its staff saying the deal would begin July 30, but since I've been in Los Angeles, I haven't heard of a similar note circulated at the Times.

I have resisted writing such instant blog posts from meetings at the Times, because I want people to feel free to express themselves without worrying their words might be splashed out in public. Many longtime friends and colleagues are losing jobs in this climate, and I've tried to be respectful of their privacy while also informing readers in this space of important developments.

It's also why I've tried to avoid publishing rumors about how many jobs may be cut here or there. I hate to cause hysteria without fully knowing the facts.

But it turns out these interns may create a new standard. I just hope they don't suffer too many consequences from revealing the substances of meetings where participants didn't necessarily know they were speaking for publication.

Comments

[LayoffGossip]

People always hate to talk about when they are laid off. But as it has become every day's news headline since Yahoo started it with cutting 1500 of its task force last year, now a need of platform has been in demand where people can express their selves in words how they are feeling about their company, whey the got laid off was that justified or not.
And every thing they want to tell anonymously.And www.layoffgossip.com is providing you that platform.

[SM]

I base my comments on prior experience that a staff meeting is just that- information for the staff, not the general public. I don't know what the Times policy is regarding personal blogs, but I know some media outlets where I've worked would take issue with staffers (or interns) publicly revealing proprietary or inside information.

In general, the assumption has been that staff meeting discussions remain in-house because you're there as an employee-- not as a reporter covering a press conference. How can other staffers speak openly if they're worried their input is going to be posted on a blog?

I can think of many instances where staff would gather for a confidential meeting and then later, a reporter would interview management and/or other staff 'on the record'...

[Jim Johnson]

Eric,

First, I understand your personal decisions to avoid blogging on topics. You have that editorial and journalistic authority.

However, I find something rather interesting. If I'm talking to a room full of journalists, I would assume everything is on the record.

Now, if the Times has a policy about personal blogs (as opposed to professional blogs on which reporters are paid to post)... that would be a different story.

I find the concept a bit ironic, a newspaper editor or publisher not knowing whether or not he or she is on the record when talking to his or her reporters.

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

Well.... I have two editorial openings, plus a growing freelance budget: http://careers.poynter.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2931446

[Kyle]

Maybe Mr. Deggans will get a promotion amidst all this change. Your sure do deserve one, sir.

[SM]

I like your thought process on this and the respect you show your colleagues. I wouldn't want to be one of the people who gets quoted in a blog while speaking under the notion that I'm not 'on the record.'

[calebism]

Wow... intern journalists as social media citizen journalists reporting on old media journalists and their bosses. Were I you, I'd never leave town again. The workers are seizing the means of production, and all that.