slides: Reaction to Telegram Staffing Cuts by New Owners

Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Nicholas Handy, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

When news of the Telegram staff cuts broke on Monday morning and afternoon, Twitter became one of the best places for up to date information; Telegram reporters who were observing the cuts were live tweeting the results.

While the cuts were taking place – which were made by news owners Halifax Media Group, who bought the Telegram from John Henry on May 21, 2014 for a reported sum of almost $19 million – others took to Twitter to offer their reaction and to show support for those who were cut.

“The names that were coming out on Twitter were huge,” said Ed Collier, a photographer who has freelanced for the Telegram in the past. “If half of the names that were reported on Twitter are actually leaving the staff, I don’t understand what this new company is thinking.”

Although a specific number has not been released by Halifax in regards to the amount of cuts, CEO Michael Redding said in a Telegram article that the staff was around 156, which is down from 180. According to Mark Henderson’s Twitter, who was one of the people cut, 29 people were either cut or resigned on their own free will.

In addition to individual reaction on Twitter and elsewhere, a hashtag on the social media site - #supportthetelegramstaff – was created to show support.

Check out the slideshow below to see some of the reaction to the Telegram staff cuts.

Related Slideshow: Reaction to Telegram Staffing Cuts by New Owners

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Tim Murray

President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

@TimMurray_MA

"Losing a quarter of the newsroom is troubling. We live in a state where Boston has media dominance, so Worcester needs a strong voice in terms of news coverage. When a staff is cut to this degree, that voice really loses its punch."

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Mark Henderson

Former Online Director, Worcester Telegram

@henderson_mark

"I appreciate the texts, emails, DMs and calls and I know journalists have a job to do but I really need to hold fast for 24 hrs to cool down."

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Bill McCarthy

State Committee Member, Massachusetts Republican Party

"I'm not surprised that they let people go; that is a normal part of acquiring any business. There will probably be even more layoffs as the new owners look to establish their goals and attempt to streamline the company."

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Tracy Novick

Worcester School Committee

@TracyNovick

"It is more than just the numbers; the Telegram is losing a lot of leadership. There is a lot of institutional knowledge lot in these cuts. In order for any community to succeed, a good local paper is needed."

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Susan Spencer

Blackstone Valley Regional Reporter, Worcester Telegram

@SusanSpencerTG

"#SupportTheTelegramStaff There is no dignity to the way people are being let go. Can't there be a more humane way?"

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Michael Redding

CEO and Publisher, Halifax Media Group

"All of it is unfortunate. You never want to be a part of it. For the future of the business, we needed to get to the right size. We put it in a staffing position that compares to our papers in the south. But I want to say, this will not impact our news coverage in any way."

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Ed Collier

Photographer, freelanced for the Telegram in the past

@ecollierphoto

“A newspaper is so much more than circulation. I don’t understand what [Halifax] thought they were buying. It is difficult to see how the paper can move forward without some of these people.”

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Nick Kotsopoulos

City Hall Reporter, Worcester Telegram

@NCKotsopoulos

"Today was like a death in the family @telegramdotcom: times 28. None of these people will be forgotten for all they did.."

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Kate Toomey

Worcester City Councilor

@KateToomey

"#SupporttheTelegramStaff Sending positive thoughts"

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Michael Frederick

Editor, Publisher, CEO of headlinesurfer.com (based in the same area that Halifax aquired newspapers in Florida)

@headlinesurfer

“I posted a blog about Halifax and Michael Redding where I compare Redding to Darth Vader in terms of his coldness toward staff and Rick Moranis’ character from Spaceballs because he puts out a mediocre product.”