According to Politico, "members of the Spanish-language media had been blogging, writing and outright complaining that the presidential campaigns have not been paying attention to them."
The Hispanic media’s irritation with the candidates has been building for some time. Last month, a columnist for La Opinion, a major Spanish-language newspaper, complained about being dissed.
“Usually, to do the job, reporters need a constant and accessible contact person in the campaign,” wrote columnist Pilar Marrero. “In Obama’s case, this has been virtually impossible: There is not — nor has there ever been — regular communication with the Hispanic press. One wonders what might happen in the general election campaign, and then in an eventual Democratic presidency, if indeed they win in November.”
Read more.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
AL DIA PAPER TO DELIVER ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS - INCREASE CIRCULATION
The Spanish-language edition of the The Dallas Morning News, Al Dia, will grow and expand circulation to Wednesdays and Saturdays by late July.
The increase will double the circulation from 40,000 to close to 120,000 and will kick-start free home-delivery in selected coverage areas on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
"It's a great thing," said Alfredo Carbajal-Madrid, the paper's managing editor, who posted the announcement on the Al Dia web site. " The Hispanic population in North Texas continues to grow. We're responding to the appetite of this population for local news. At the same time, this is a perfect vehicle for advertisers to get to consumers."
The paper will increase coverage of local events and also push internet and online stories including multimedia packages.
MEDIA MOVES BLOGS ON GARY'S DEPARTURE
Media Moves, a journalism on "about Latinos in the media and the issues that affect the business," posted a story on Network member Gary Piña who among those let go at the Star-Telegram recently.
Piña among McClatchy casualties
Gary Piña, a news editor/page designer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is among the hundreds of McClatchy employees laid off today. He has been with the Star-Telegram for over 20 years.
Gary is currently nearing the end of his second term on the NAHJ board. At the moment, he is the At-large-officer. He was a key player in the success of the 2005 NAHJ convention. He had recently expressed interest in running for president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators.
Read more and also comments from NAHJ members here.
Piña among McClatchy casualties
Gary Piña, a news editor/page designer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is among the hundreds of McClatchy employees laid off today. He has been with the Star-Telegram for over 20 years.
Gary is currently nearing the end of his second term on the NAHJ board. At the moment, he is the At-large-officer. He was a key player in the success of the 2005 NAHJ convention. He had recently expressed interest in running for president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators.
Read more and also comments from NAHJ members here.
STAR-TELEGRAM LAYOFFS TO CONTINUE THIS WEEK
Sources say that another round of Star-Telegram employees will be getting packets this week and be forced to said goodbye to the paper. Will this be Blue Monday II?
MACARENA HERNANDEZ TO LEAVE DMN - PURSUE JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIP
Friday afternoon the email landed on many DMN inboxes - Congratulations to Macarena Hernandez as she pursues a fantastic opportunity. Macarena, who just wrapped up a successful (and highly controversial) series on immigration and students, will be leaving the Dallas Morning News in the next few months.
Update:
In the fall of 2008 the International Reporting Project (IRP) will offer up to four IRP Fellowships to U.S. journalists, including Macarena, to carry out a project reporting from any country in the world outside of the United States. Macarena's fellowship will focus on Latin America and will begin September 1 in Washington, D.C. where IRP Fellows will spend two weeks at a program arranged. IRP Fellows depart September 13 for a five-week period of individual international reporting. All IRP Fellows will return to Washington for a final week October 19-25. Macarena's last day with the DMN will be August 27.
The IRP Fellowships aim to strengthen the U.S. public's understanding of key international topics by helping to educate U.S. journalists by providing them with access to leading international experts in the United States, and offering them opportunities to do reporting projects overseas.
The program brings U.S. journalists to Washington, D.C., at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of The Johns Hopkins University before traveling abroad. During the program, journalists have access to some of the world's leading specialists in international issues at SAIS and other institutions in the nation's capital.
Update:
In the fall of 2008 the International Reporting Project (IRP) will offer up to four IRP Fellowships to U.S. journalists, including Macarena, to carry out a project reporting from any country in the world outside of the United States. Macarena's fellowship will focus on Latin America and will begin September 1 in Washington, D.C. where IRP Fellows will spend two weeks at a program arranged. IRP Fellows depart September 13 for a five-week period of individual international reporting. All IRP Fellows will return to Washington for a final week October 19-25. Macarena's last day with the DMN will be August 27.
The IRP Fellowships aim to strengthen the U.S. public's understanding of key international topics by helping to educate U.S. journalists by providing them with access to leading international experts in the United States, and offering them opportunities to do reporting projects overseas.
The program brings U.S. journalists to Washington, D.C., at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of The Johns Hopkins University before traveling abroad. During the program, journalists have access to some of the world's leading specialists in international issues at SAIS and other institutions in the nation's capital.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
CALIFORNIA/FLORIDA HOUSING COLLAPSE TO BLAME FOR STAR-TELEGRAM LAY OFFS
Blame it on California and Florida where the housing collapse and abundance of foreclosures are in an all time high, is what experts say the reason for McClatchy's major layoffs across the nation.
"1,400 McClatchy Co. employees targeted for layoffs can blame their job loss on the faltering newspaper economy in general, their company's specific concentration of papers in California and Florida where the housing collapse has been most acute -- and a forward-looking strategy once hailed as a way to avoid precisely this kind of pain," Editor and Publisher
Read the story here.
"1,400 McClatchy Co. employees targeted for layoffs can blame their job loss on the faltering newspaper economy in general, their company's specific concentration of papers in California and Florida where the housing collapse has been most acute -- and a forward-looking strategy once hailed as a way to avoid precisely this kind of pain," Editor and Publisher
Read the story here.
Monday, June 16, 2008
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFFERS SHOCKED
The dust hasn't even settled and the ink is not yet dry on those new pink slips, but insiders tell that many who got the axe today are grumbling two words - age discrimination. A large percentage of those cut are over 45.
"People know that the economy and lower ad sales are to blame but it just feels that many of those who go cut, are over 45 or have more than 15 years of service," said an anonymous staffer. "But we knew something was coming. Many HR staffers were called in Sunday morning for a emergency meeting. Word got around really fast."
Many of the 130 to be let go (almost 10% of the workforce) were notified this morning and afternoon. These included long timers in copy desk, editorial, sports, features, city desk, and classified/advertising. Some were given
buyout options and others, the golden pink slip and told about their severance package and last day.
Departing staffers will be paid up to six months’ salary, based on their seniority. Those with many years, got voluntary buyouts.
McClatchy, the owner who also announced cuts in other markets, says the job cuts will be made through a combination of voluntary departures, layoffs and attrition. McClatchy reports a 15% decline in advertising revenues in the first five months of the year. A hiring freeze was also imposed.
"Who is to blame,?" said one reporter. "Well all I can say is that despite the Fort Worth economy gas boom, the $4 gas and the massive foreclosures have finally caught up with us. We just wish it could have been more even across the ages. We put in 10-20-30 years and this is the Thank You we get!"
"People know that the economy and lower ad sales are to blame but it just feels that many of those who go cut, are over 45 or have more than 15 years of service," said an anonymous staffer. "But we knew something was coming. Many HR staffers were called in Sunday morning for a emergency meeting. Word got around really fast."
Many of the 130 to be let go (almost 10% of the workforce) were notified this morning and afternoon. These included long timers in copy desk, editorial, sports, features, city desk, and classified/advertising. Some were given
buyout options and others, the golden pink slip and told about their severance package and last day.
Departing staffers will be paid up to six months’ salary, based on their seniority. Those with many years, got voluntary buyouts.
McClatchy, the owner who also announced cuts in other markets, says the job cuts will be made through a combination of voluntary departures, layoffs and attrition. McClatchy reports a 15% decline in advertising revenues in the first five months of the year. A hiring freeze was also imposed.
"Who is to blame,?" said one reporter. "Well all I can say is that despite the Fort Worth economy gas boom, the $4 gas and the massive foreclosures have finally caught up with us. We just wish it could have been more even across the ages. We put in 10-20-30 years and this is the Thank You we get!"
STAR TELEGRAM DROPS BLACK MONDAY BOMBSHELL
The sad news came this mid-morning with an email and letter to all employees:
To All Employees:
I am writing today to tell you that the Star-telegram is reducing its workforce by approximately 130 positions, or about 10% of the total.
This is a painful but necessary step. We're operating in a time of great change and challenge for our operations, for The McClatchy Company and for the newspaper industry overall.
When we announced our management restructuring 2 months ago, we did not have plans for further staff reductions. Since then our economic downturn has accelerated, reducing revenues dramatically. This requires the painful but necessary step of a more aggressive realignment of our staffing models.
As you know, we have already been transitioning to new ways of doing business. We're confident in our ability to navigate to a stable and prosperous future as an integrated media company serving as our community's most trusted supplier of news and advertising information.
Reductions will occur in most departments. Although many of these job eliminations will occur through involuntary layoffs, there also will be opportunities for employees to voluntarily elect a severance package where reductions are occurring in work groups of two or more employees. If enough employees do not take the voluntary option, then the work groups will be reduced according to least tenure. Employees affected by this reduction are being notified as quickly as possible and being provided with information about the severance program and their last day. They will be provided with a transition package that includes a severance pay allowance and benefits continuation. We also will provide outplacement services.
As a news company, we have often reported on such transitions in other industries. Now we face the painful reality of severing employment ties with valued friends and colleagues, many of whom have served the company well for many years. We are sorry to do so, and will do everything possible to make their transition as smooth as possible.
Other workforce reductions were also announced today throughout McClatchy. A press release detailing those actions – amounting to about 1400 jobs, or 10% of the company's workforce – is available at http://www.mcclatchy.com. As CEO Gary Pruitt says there, "McClatchy is committed to remaining a healthy, profitable company positioned not only to meet current challenges, but to take full advantage of opportunities for growth as we restructure to support our mission of delivering high quality news and information."
The Star-Telegram is making other changes in its business model and operations, as well. We have implemented our first home delivery price increase in 3 years, have plans to convert NIE papers to an electronic edition, and we're in the middle of a process that leads to selling some adjacent property. On the product side, we have plans to combine or merge some sections. Details on these changes will be announced later.
This will also be a difficult and disorienting time for those of us who remain on the job. Your continued effort and dedication are the foundation of our faith in the future, and we know from experience what a talented and productive group you are. The public service mission that has always animated us remains unchanged, but we will need to make many other changes as we adapt to today's far more competitive media landscape. We will be working diligently alongside you to ensure that we do so.
If you have any questions about the transition program or the voluntary transition option, please contact human resources. If you have any questions about departmental or structural changes, please contact your department manager. Thank you again for your continued service and cooperation.
Gary Wortel President & Publisher Star-Telegram
---------------------------------
Of those cut include:
Phyllis Stone
Tara Ransom
Alex Russ
Angie Somers
Carolyn Poirot
Rhonda McKinney
Kathie Hinnen
Joy Donovan
Bob Hood
John Sturbin
Todd Camp
Alan Cochrum
Gary Hardee
Jim Peipert
Mary Rogers
Judy Wiley
Richard Stubbe
Jill Johnson
Gary Pina - and four copy editors (from all three copy desks combined)
three librarians
more names coming - only 21 names today out of 130. Some tough weeks coming for Star-Telegram staffers.
To All Employees:
I am writing today to tell you that the Star-telegram is reducing its workforce by approximately 130 positions, or about 10% of the total.
This is a painful but necessary step. We're operating in a time of great change and challenge for our operations, for The McClatchy Company and for the newspaper industry overall.
When we announced our management restructuring 2 months ago, we did not have plans for further staff reductions. Since then our economic downturn has accelerated, reducing revenues dramatically. This requires the painful but necessary step of a more aggressive realignment of our staffing models.
As you know, we have already been transitioning to new ways of doing business. We're confident in our ability to navigate to a stable and prosperous future as an integrated media company serving as our community's most trusted supplier of news and advertising information.
Reductions will occur in most departments. Although many of these job eliminations will occur through involuntary layoffs, there also will be opportunities for employees to voluntarily elect a severance package where reductions are occurring in work groups of two or more employees. If enough employees do not take the voluntary option, then the work groups will be reduced according to least tenure. Employees affected by this reduction are being notified as quickly as possible and being provided with information about the severance program and their last day. They will be provided with a transition package that includes a severance pay allowance and benefits continuation. We also will provide outplacement services.
As a news company, we have often reported on such transitions in other industries. Now we face the painful reality of severing employment ties with valued friends and colleagues, many of whom have served the company well for many years. We are sorry to do so, and will do everything possible to make their transition as smooth as possible.
Other workforce reductions were also announced today throughout McClatchy. A press release detailing those actions – amounting to about 1400 jobs, or 10% of the company's workforce – is available at http://www.mcclatchy.com. As CEO Gary Pruitt says there, "McClatchy is committed to remaining a healthy, profitable company positioned not only to meet current challenges, but to take full advantage of opportunities for growth as we restructure to support our mission of delivering high quality news and information."
The Star-Telegram is making other changes in its business model and operations, as well. We have implemented our first home delivery price increase in 3 years, have plans to convert NIE papers to an electronic edition, and we're in the middle of a process that leads to selling some adjacent property. On the product side, we have plans to combine or merge some sections. Details on these changes will be announced later.
This will also be a difficult and disorienting time for those of us who remain on the job. Your continued effort and dedication are the foundation of our faith in the future, and we know from experience what a talented and productive group you are. The public service mission that has always animated us remains unchanged, but we will need to make many other changes as we adapt to today's far more competitive media landscape. We will be working diligently alongside you to ensure that we do so.
If you have any questions about the transition program or the voluntary transition option, please contact human resources. If you have any questions about departmental or structural changes, please contact your department manager. Thank you again for your continued service and cooperation.
Gary Wortel President & Publisher Star-Telegram
---------------------------------
Of those cut include:
Phyllis Stone
Tara Ransom
Alex Russ
Angie Somers
Carolyn Poirot
Rhonda McKinney
Kathie Hinnen
Joy Donovan
Bob Hood
John Sturbin
Todd Camp
Alan Cochrum
Gary Hardee
Jim Peipert
Mary Rogers
Judy Wiley
Richard Stubbe
Jill Johnson
Gary Pina - and four copy editors (from all three copy desks combined)
three librarians
more names coming - only 21 names today out of 130. Some tough weeks coming for Star-Telegram staffers.
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