Comments about ‘The Deseret News is a newspaper for the future’

Please tell me how laying off so much experienced staff makes the newspaper better?

I've loved the DN for over 30 years, and I really hope it continues to be what I've relied on for so many years.

But frankly, all of this high-minded business jargon about innovation and leadership sounds like whitewash from a cliched business text someone had lying around from their MBA days.

("Sounds sophisticated with lots of syllables and no one knows exactly what it's going to mean, therefore the public will be satisfied. Print it!")

I'm still subscribing to the print version because I love the feel of paper in my hands and enjoy watching my children read the funnies and a world headline or two, but I'll be holding my breath, worried about what all of this 'innovation' means.

this whole article is a load of bunk.

It really would be nice if you would give some specifics about what is changing and who has been let go. The long articles about the history of the newspaper make me think you are dodging the issue, and they really aren't relevant. Tell us specifics of the plans like: is the fact that you picked up a news wire story and replaced the local TV coverage column in today's paper an indication of what the Deseret News's plans are?

Yesterday, the Trib reported that one of the DNews "articles" was written by someone who works for the Church's PR department, which was not disclosed in the article. If it's true that this kind of stuff is going to be happening, it's very disturbing.

The only reason the DN is "a newspaper for the future," as the article claims, is that it is owned by the LDS Church and LDS members all over the world read it via the internet. Its relationship with the LDS Church is the key to any success it has experienced during the past few years.

Sadly, it claims success and a bright future, while cutting nearly half its payroll. That's nothing to shout about. And, to me at least, it seems that with its strong LDS connection it should be able to find a way to hang on without disrupting so many families.

The most valuable asset the Deseret News had were it's people. I haven't seen the list of whom was let go; I hope most of the journalists remain particularly those covering government beats. As a daily reader of the online News, but a non-subscriber, I think some newspapers, the News included, could successfully implement a subscriber-based business model in which some online content is available to subscribers only.

I agree with you Alan. DN is planning to be an LDS paper, not a Utah paper. That is really sad. It went all downhill with the current Editor. When one hires someone with no experience, one gets crazy stuff. Interesting this article claims readership went up 20 percent. First it would be interesting of how they came up with that number. Notice is wasn't circulation went up 20 percent. Second obviously thish hasn't translated into income because the Newspaper is struggling financially as evidence in their lay offs.

You can thank KSL for your demise. By allowing free ads on their site they killed your classified section, your biggest money maker.

Any specifics on what your bright future is would be great. It's been a couple days now and all I can find are the same old corporate statements that say and mean absolutely nothing. When do your customers get to find out what your great new plan is?

Or, are these vague statements and press releases all you've planned so far?

You have to move much faster, getting the deadwood out is fine, but TV reporters are not very good at sourcing information, and the internet is more than a decade old, the new world is much faster and smaller. You still need to pick up the pace of the change in information transmission. But, the effort you are making to keep the paper is appreciated. Thanks!!!!

If the D-News is a Paper for the Future, they might want to update their equipment. Look at the photo. Bubble wrap and a hammer are not technology for the 21st Century.

Quite a spin story borrowed from the politicians! Two executives leave and other layoffs and it is a good deal? If the DN can get by with 43% less print staff why were they there is the first place? How about a real explanation with FACTS?

...and you're all reading it...on the internet!

I find it interesting that the Deseret Media brass would not appear live on RadioWest this AM. This says it all.

The only reason more people log ony

The only thing Deseret News can do to distinguish itself from the rest of the print media is to get out of the AP media pool and remove itself from news groups like JournOlist. For far too long D News has passed on tainted news from the liberal media establishment and not represented the interests of its readers.

It is humorous that so many people are making such ignorant comments. As the article clearly said. The print newspaper business has been a declining business for decades! Not as many people subscribe to the paper news because there are new, more convenient ways to get the news. I can get it anywhere in the world through the internet. SO i ask the question. Why would ANY business continue down the same road of declining paper print and not make changes? Business is business and it can't run if it doesn't make money. Technology brings change and you can either embrace it and survive or ignore it and go bankrupt.

The DNews articles about the upcoming changes sound like they're written by PR flaks, rather than straight-talking journalists. That's depressing. Please, just tell it like it is, without all the phony spin.

As someone that watched my father work for Deseret Press for over 30 years (not the news paper division), and as a descendant of Charles W. Penrose, who was called on to help save the Deseret News paper many years ago, (twice after being run by a Mr. Cannon) and was editor at least twice, I am have been watching with horror what the paper has been doing.

The recent political changes to the News and the ramifications to the employees are amazing.

Even if the SLTrib tends to be more liberal, it also tends to have reporters than seem to cover conservative views more fairly.

Robert Gehrke is a good example.

I have been consistently disappointed in the government and political coverage and fairness from the DesNews.