Deseret News | Deseret News to lay off up to 35 people; editor cites declining ad revenue

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Deseret News to lay off up to 35 people; editor cites declining ad revenue

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What a sad.... | 4:55 p.m. June 5, 2008

thing to see people laid off because of loss of revenue. I hope those laid off would be able to get jobs elsewhere. The best of luck to them...

no recession | 4:55 p.m. June 5, 2008

George W. Bush tells us we are NOT in a recession.
I wonder if he told that to the Deseret News employees who are about to get pink-slipped?

no need for paper | 4:57 p.m. June 5, 2008

No need for a "paper" newspaper anymore. The web has everything so why cluter up your driveway with a soggy blob of paper? With Personal Computers, hand held Blackberry's etc.. the web can be accessed anywhere.

Comments continue below

I still look at Classified | 5:12 p.m. June 5, 2008

I don't see why this is so. When I need to look up classified, I either look in the physical newspaper or I look online.

conservative values | 5:19 p.m. June 5, 2008

One of the conservative values is an attachment to the capitalistic system.

So what's the problem?

Nazdar | 5:21 p.m. June 5, 2008

Do not let James Edwards go. His RSL articles are the only reason that I eagerly look forward to the paper in the morning and why I am still a paying customer. If he goes I am going straight internet and it probably won't be to this website. Good Luck James! Go RSL!

Anonymous | 5:20 p.m. June 5, 2008

Actually, by definition we're not in a recession. A recession is two consecutive quarters of declining GDP. We're on our way there, but we haven't hit it yet. It's only an economic downturn as it currently stands. I hope it doesn't hurt you too bad knowing the President's right and you're wrong.

Utah Republican | 5:24 p.m. June 5, 2008

Welcome to Bush's Republican America! Don't ya just love it!

porky | 5:24 p.m. June 5, 2008

poor georgie... now somebody's blaming him for the DNews woes. I suppose if Obama gets elected then 35 Dnews jobs will suddently reappear?! yah, right.

Jack Mormon | 5:38 p.m. June 5, 2008

The Mormon-owned Deseret News has no one to blame but the Mormon-owned KSL.com for the loss of classified revenue suffered by NAC. I used to believe with the deep tithing pockets The LDS church has, that the D News was in the same league as charles Foster Kane, where they could lose a million dollars a year and only have to close the doors after 60 years. I guess that 60-year period started quite some time ago. How could The Church do this to itself?

Mr. Solution | 5:43 p.m. June 5, 2008

President Bush told us that all we need to do to stop the recession is go out and spend more. I think the 35 people that just got canned from the DesNews should take the advice of the President that Utah supported so strongly and stop by Walmart after they pick up their pink slips and spend a few bucks. It will do wonders for them, and the economy.

breaking records. | 5:46 p.m. June 5, 2008

Anonymous 5:20, is typical of the living in the past Neocon way of life. This is why life is jetting past these types with a gusto.
I would suggest the neocons tell their tale to the record-breaking number of people who have lost their jobs. The record-breaking number of people losing their homes. The record-breaking number of people filing for bankruptcy. And the record-breaking prices at the grocery stores and gas pumps.

question | 6:03 p.m. June 5, 2008

Just how stupid is Joe Cannon, thinking that slashing his reporting staff so dramatically won't also slash the quality of the newspaper, lessening people's interest in reading it?
Lesser content for the same price. That doesn't sound like a bargain to me.

Coincidence | 6:04 p.m. June 5, 2008

Isn't it odd the economy didn't take this ugly down turn until the Dems got control of Congress? 7 years of Bush's incompetence iced off by 1 year of Democratic incompetence in Congress to push the economy over the edge.

Once upon a time... | 6:20 p.m. June 5, 2008

The administration before the present one had a huge surplus.
Today ... (you know the rest)

My neighbor | 6:20 p.m. June 5, 2008

My neighbor just returned home who works at the DN. She surmises that the first to go will be some that know how to write. Her gut feeling is that the higher paid management will be spared and there will be a number of "protected" people (the favorites because of personality of looks) who will remain -- even though the managers and pretty people have few skills. She is quite depressed and considers this a bandaid approach. What's needed, she feels, is a new set of management. It's the present management that's caused the problem and have no clue (except cutting jobs).
My heart goes out to all of the cannon fodder that will be sacrificed so a few can remain employed.

Someone who likes the Deseret Ne | 6:30 p.m. June 5, 2008

Classified advertising has become too expensive, especially when you look at the decline in readership. Make the paper more competitive before you lose all your advertising support.

downsize this | 6:31 p.m. June 5, 2008

In the best-selling book "Downsize This" author Michael Moore goes into great detail about what is happening in corporate America and how the little guy has no power.
But neocons view Moore as a communist and traitor not a person trying to sound the impending alarm.

Henry Drummond | 6:49 p.m. June 5, 2008

It is always sad when good people doing a good job find they are no longer employed through no fault of their own. There is never a way to make any sense of it.

It also tends to hurt the company as talented people they would like to keep go elsewhere in search of greater job security.

It seems strange that KSL radio, KSL television, and the D-news all have competing news web sites. It seems that the time has come to create something of a new entity that combines all three rather than having them duplicate services but that's just my uniformed opinion.

Sad, but true | 6:52 p.m. June 5, 2008

See a pattern?

Mr. Cannon is with the EPA. Jobs are cut.

Mr. Cannon is with Geneva Steel. Jobs are cut and then some, not to state the obvious.

Mr. Cannon is with the DNews. Jobs are cut.

Good thing the paper is owned by the church. But as to what length will they let this thing bleed under Cannon's stewardship.

I agree with some of the comments about bad management. Bad managers = bad times. Good managers can find ways to staunch the bleeding. God bless em.

P.S. Stop turning this into a Bush/neocon debate. Have a heart, people. You at least still have jobs, or have means to support computer time. 35 staffers at the paper won't for long.

Jarred | 7:00 p.m. June 5, 2008

I use buy the Des.Newspaper just to use in my pet animal cage, but no more. I now buy butcher paper from Costco instead. The reason I quit buying the newspaper was because the news paperboy would continuously throw the paper and break my flower pots that were sitting on my front porch. Anyway, it's much nicer just readying the news now online. Thanks a million. My animal doesn't mind too much either.

Anonymous | 7:02 p.m. June 5, 2008

I imagine some of the first to go will be those with several years of experience/higher salaries, those who write the "expose's", those who may in anyway bring a lot of us online to blog their story with a controversy.

Anonymous | 7:03 p.m. June 5, 2008

1. Why would I pay to subscribe when I can read online for free?

2. Let's show him how "restructuring" and "cutbacks" can affect famlies. Vote for Jason Chaffetz!!

Consider | 7:14 p.m. June 5, 2008

Many don't understand that the Internet is not free. Anyone with a DSL connection can write anything they want. What newspapers have is credibility and the ability to uncover facts and honestly report them. What a sad day it is when we (the people) get our news only online and expect it to be free. When we buy our books from a mega store online or order products online or advertise on "free" sites, what we're doing is saving money in the short term but costing much more long term. What happens when newspapers and other LOCAL businesses are gone? Who pays the unemployment costs? Who pays the taxes to keep services intact? As a greedy people we need to take a second look at supporting an infrastructure that keeps us free and educated. Some of the problem is inflated salaries to keep "blessed" people looking good. What happened to living in a modest home and within your means! When we're greedy we forget abotu keeping the structure in place that put us on top in the first place.
This is a SAD day to consider no newspaper.

Teri | 7:23 p.m. June 5, 2008

Is it that they won't need as many people since they are closing ranks and cater to LDS. No crime, all pollyana.

I Love reading the blogs | 7:25 p.m. June 5, 2008

Deseret News is so much nicer to read online. It's so much easier than fighting with paper while going from page to page, and searching the paper, and sometimes never finding what I am looking for. I hope you guys stay online. I guess modern times has just change things for us all. Nothing ever stays the same. I'm sorry for those who will be without a job--truly hard times for some.

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 8:15 p.m. June 5, 2008

WHY has the newspaper's revenue fallen 32 percent since January, is it because of the internet, text messaging, emails, and on line shopping, newspapers have lost money when circulation has declined because of this act.Competition from the Internet to deliver news and information has taken a toll on newspapers nationwide. Ani't you glad AlGore invented the internet, lack of proper management made the Deseret News circulation remained relatively flat, the rapid drop in classified ad sales forced the paper to make the cuts. Yes the LDS Church owns the Deseret News, however, with the paper's 200 full-time employees, perhaps just one could say, there is one stone we haven't looked under for cost reductions yet, and I just found it. Don't blame this on our great President Bush either, blame it on the youth running the show, part of that I, Me and My generation, that thinks he or she has done everything in life and seen everything as well, when they are still all wet behind the ears yet. That's the problem.

Atlman | 8:15 p.m. June 5, 2008

I am so sorry for the folks at DN who have lost their jobs. I love reading this newspaper online, although I am not from Utah. I get to comment on articles and really enjoy the local articles. I am usually a rabble rouser but in this case I want to say how sorry I am for the folks being laid off. As much as I would not like it, it might be a good idea to charge for online reading of DN, or at least only make it free for those who subscribe to the print edition. Yes, that would include me paying.. I read my hometown paper online ( small town ) . The only way it is free for me is that I pay for my Mom's subscription for print delivery. Thanks DN for a great resource for a non-Utahn.

Peanut gallery | 8:38 p.m. June 5, 2008

Brother Chuck: You make me laugh. You blame a failing industry (print circulation newspapers) on youth? Wow, what a angle. Any more bright conspiracies, brother?

To those complaining about newspaper delivery: Tell it to your paper carrier, or your carrier's route manager. It's the NAC stooges, not the News (or Trib), that's responsible for the paper not hitting the door and wet on rainy days.

Hey Teri: A lot of recent news has been crime, FLDS, Ragsdale, politics, gay marriage. Hardly Pollyanna.

Bush trolls: Nice to see you have a point to make on every single story. Boo.

Deseret Morning News staff: Good luck. May the Force be with you.

Thanks for the memories | 8:45 p.m. June 5, 2008

The DN has been an important part of my past life. I used to routinely write "letters to the editor" and enjoyed reading all of the interesting response.

But a couple of years ago my perspective on life and religion changed, and I stopped my subscription when I realized that my "point of view" was no longer welcomed.

At least, online, I can occasionally get a comment to be printed. Perhaps the DN could save some money by eliminating a few of their censors. (Just a suggestion.)

My sincere gratitude and sadness to those who are losing their jobs.

Ken | 8:46 p.m. June 5, 2008

Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that if you can post a "for sale" listing on craigslist.com for free, or pay to put it in the paper, you're gonna do it for free. And, there are hundreds if not thousands of online job boards, which has become the standard way for people like all of us to search for jobs.

Capitalism leads to the decline of old business models, and that's a fact. Nothing wrong with that. My dad's company of 30 years, Eastman Kodak, is a shell of the company it was in its heyday, a decline precipitated over the past 10 years by the incredible growth in and preference for digital imaging. Sad to see, but even George Eastman himself led a similar revolution when he anticipated the decline of glass plate negatives by taking a chance on bringing rolled film - and photography - to the masses.

Innovation is good. Companies just need to adapt. Easier said than done.

Ken
Laid-off 3 months ago

So sorry to see this happen... | 8:49 p.m. June 5, 2008

I am truly saddened to see the Deseret News become even more Mormon oriented. I hope that they will not censor out comments from non-Mormons. Up until now, I've always looked at the on-line forum as a special bridge between the LDS people and others.

My thoughts and prayers will be with those who are losing their current jobs. Hopefully, they will be able to find something even better.

Outsider | 8:50 p.m. June 5, 2008

Unfortunate for the folks who will be laid off from the DN. It seems like the trend in other cities would suggest this is long overdue. I am not familiar with the politics of the DN vs. Tribune but it seems like one good newspaper, leveraging the very best reporting/commentary from both dailies, should be able to meet the needs of the state of Utah. Perhaps a Utah County edition for those who prefer a more significant content for all things Mormon....but in the end a more efficient newspaper, that already shares infrastructure.

Phil | 8:53 p.m. June 5, 2008

In the past the desnews was great, there coverage of the FLDS was poor, it would be great if a newspaper own by a church would actually stand up for Bill of Rights.

Anonymous | 8:54 p.m. June 5, 2008

Apparently the Deseret News hasn't looked under enough stones for where its money is going. In today's paper there was a large ad saying that the MormonTImes.com section of the newspaper is sponsoring four women runners to go around the counry running in marathons. If there's no money to pay reporters to bring us the news, why are they paying these young ladies to enjoy a hobby? Poor timing, on the day they announce lay-offs.

Other options? | 8:56 p.m. June 5, 2008

What about more on-line advertising? Could these options be more aggressively pursued? Or don't that many people want to put their ads here? If not, why not?

Interloper | 8:59 p.m. June 5, 2008

I believe that if the Deseret News were a more independent, not so biased newspaper, it would have better circulation and ad sales. Presently, it is reminiscent of another perennial money loser -- The Washington Times. Breaking free of the LDS bonds that bind it would give News the freedom to hire objective reporters who do good research and write revealing articles. Somehow, The Christian Science Monitor manages to compete with secular media. The owners and editors could learn a thing or two from the CSM.

(This comment is by a former journalist for The Des Moines Register, Atlanta Journal and AP.)

Jay | 9:03 p.m. June 5, 2008

It is too bad for those who are losing their jobs. :(

It is also a loss for the DS to go back-ward to a LDS support function. The DS has investigated & printed many "truthful" discoveries of national, state and local, abuses of power by both political parties. Kudos for a job well done.

Anonymous | 9:02 p.m. June 5, 2008

Declining circulation and ad revenue is a nationwide trend that hasn't snuck up on the industry. It's not unique to the DN. Stop trying to simplify a complex issue by blaming one person, don't care who it is.

Lori | 9:14 p.m. June 5, 2008

Hope the DNews won't go back to a "LDS support function." Could you perhaps explain more about how you'll keep church bias out of straight news reporting? I'm assuming that's the plan.
You have a tremendously talented staff and have long been undervalued by people who make assumptions instead of looking at the product. The Deseret News regularly beats the Trib on breaking news.
My sympathies to the staff.

TAMMY | 9:17 p.m. June 5, 2008

HEY! I LOVE DESERET NEWS!!!!! AS LONG DESERET NEWS STAYS ON-LINE, SO THAT WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO HAVE GREAT RELIGIOUS BASHING, AND ALLOW US ALL TO KEEP BASHING EACH OTHER CONSTANTLY. WHAT COULD BE MORE ENJOYABLE? LDS MORMONS, CATHOLICS, JEWISH, BAPTISTS, LUTHERANS, METHODISTS, BUDDHIST, MUSEUMS, ATHEISTS, AMISH, FLDS APOSTATES and all other weird religions. Pretty cool posts to say the least.

SDman | 9:20 p.m. June 5, 2008

This is sad. I will be sure to click on a few more online ads - that might make a few more pennies! Seriously, I hope those losing their jobs find something quickly. Good luck to them.

Anonymous | 9:50 p.m. June 5, 2008

Kids, George Bush and Joe Cannon didn't invent the internet or craigslist.

The LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune and hundreds of other papers are laying off people right and left.

You want to blame someone? Blame craig.

Anonymous | 10:03 p.m. June 5, 2008

Don't blame Craig -- blame the invention of the internet.

Given how easy it is to create a free classifieds site, the price of those ads would have inevitably gone to zero with or without craigslist. The Deseret News should have anticipated that, or at least reacted to it. Instead, they STILL charge for them and are getting their lunch eaten.

I hope the Deseret News realizes what has happened and that it won't stop at their classifieds -- obituaries are next.

The day will come | 10:39 p.m. June 5, 2008

When people won't get all the information for free online. Papers need to start charging subscriptions for online access to their content, because there's no reason for them to pay reporters to give people free stuff. Readers should pay for the information someone else is providing for them.

Ah yes | 10:51 p.m. June 5, 2008

Ah yes but when everyone starts charging to get thier stories online, guess what someone is going to cheat and offer it for free. Someone like Google or Microsoft who want you to visit thier website. And then what will the real news companies do? Crumble up and fail

We Need U Des-News ! | 10:54 p.m. June 5, 2008

Please Deseret News, don't go away. I love you. You make each and everyday a good day for me. I need you so much! Deseret News, you just cannot leave us. We all need you to fill our days with laughter, and sometimes with a bit of sadness and sorrow. Nonetheless, you have always been a big part of our family and our lives, even though we don't know any of you personally. You have always been there for us in our time of need, SO PLEASE, I ask of you, PLEASE, PLEASE don't go away :(

jpjazz | 11:10 p.m. June 5, 2008

It's only a matter of time before the Trib announces similar layoffs, I sense a merger or buyout between the two papers.

KSL Dnews | 11:47 p.m. June 5, 2008

KSL and Dnews split alliances not long ago. Bad mistake. I agree with other comments on this board. They are both boniville communications/lds owned. Lets pool resourses and work together to get through this.

Let the pride go and work things out get back to gether! :)

Losing jobs | 1:53 a.m. June 6, 2008

I lost my job a few years ago but found a better one! Markets change, and so do people. Why hang onto a declining industry? Computers and digital cameras put lots of people out of jobs but created thousands of NEW jobs! Consider this: some businesses need to fail so our economy will grow in other areas. If not, our overseas competitors will eat us alive. Case in point the U.S. garment industry. It wouldn't adapt to changes and competition so consumers put them out of business with their purchases of less expensive items overseas. Adapt of die! It true for every business as much as D.N. Go find a better job! It can be done and is done by thousands of people everyday! This is America, the greatest country in the world! There is more opportunity here than anywhere!

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