Back to my old pursuit...

One narrative that's been overlooked here since the start of law school is the continuing implosion of my former newspaper.
Last Monday, the paper announced another 13 layoffs. These are in addition to the 20 buyouts they did in May. I have a hard time understanding how the financial outlook changed so much in four months that they had to cut payroll again. It's like a bunch of kids are running the newspaper business now. No planning, no vision, just reaction to crises.
I'm so glad I got out. But the sad thing is, nearly everyone I know is trying to get out -- especially people my age who've spent 8-10 years in the business. An excellent political reporter I know left a few years ago to pursue law. The best writer I've ever worked with, who became a city editor, is finishing her teaching certificate so she can change careers. Another talented reporter is considering PR work. My career mentor now works for a university communications department. A former newspaper colleague freelances exclusively after being laid off this summer. Last week I met a 3L here at Iowa who used to work for the Peoria Journal-Star. A law school classmate left the Des Moines Register.
Who will mind the till? Editors can try to put on a brave face, but it's a downward spiral because the revenue side of newspapers isn't going to improve. That means more payroll cuts, more reductions to the news product and fewer and fewer readers as the value of the newspaper diminishes. Oh, and don't put your hopes in the internet. It doesn't make money...

P.S. A single share of GateHouse Media, the owner of the Register Star, is trading today at 64 cents. A newspaper off the rack costs $.75.