Citing its location in one of the weakest markets in the country, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer was included in a list of the 10 major daily papers that are most likely to fold or shutter their print operations and only publish online by the end of next year in a Time magazine story.
While the digital switch might happen to properties in the very near future I have a hard time believing The Plain Dealer will be among them as the story suggests. Almost all of the other properties on the list face direct competition which is not the case in Cleveland. Inclusion on the list also factors the health of the parent company, in the PD’s case is Advance Publications.
Many obervers believe today could be the last day for the print operation at the Seattle Post Intelligencer. The speculation is spelled out in a story on NPPA.org.
McClatchy has said it will reduce its workforce by 15% as part of its restructuring plan. In people terms, thats about 1600 full time jobs. And to think we here in Akron were disappointed when McClatchy sold us off shortly after acquiring us from Knight-Ridder. All of the former Knight-Ridder properties seem to be in the same boat. Although many are profitable they are saddled with enormous debt from owners who overpaid for them, and yes that includes the Beacon Journal.
Please direct your readers to The Plain Dealer’s response, in which Publisher Terrance C.Z. Egger says the report is “baseless.”