Herald-Sun of Durham cuts jobs
Published: Wed, Jul. 30, 2008 02:07PM
Modified Wed, Jul. 30, 2008 02:11PM
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closeDeclining circulation and advertising revenue prompted The Herald-Sun to cut at least seven jobs and two freestanding sections of the Durham newspaper.
Bob Ashley, the Herald-Sun's editor, confirmed the cutbacks in a column published today.
"Such moves are always painful, but we had to recognize the financial realities in front of us," Ashley wrote.
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He wrote that "fewer than 10" positions were lost, citing publisher Rick Bean.
"Yes, the advertising declines that have beset papers coast to coast have been a factor here, and led us this week to make the difficult decision to cut costs fairly sharply to bring them in line with our revenues," Ashley wrote.
Among the newsroom staffers who were laid off was photographer Kevin Seifert, who had been with the Herald-Sun for nine years. Seifert said he was laid off unexpectedly Tuesday, but declined to comment further.
The Herald-Sun also eliminated the Healthy Living section on Thursday and the Faith and Family section on Saturday. Both will become part of the Metro section, Ashley wrote.
Ashley and Bean didn't return calls seeking comment.
Newspapers across the country have been forced to cut costs as advertisers and readers are migrating to the Internet and revenue is declining.
Last month, The News & Observer Publishing Co. laid off 70. The company, which publishes the Durham News, is a competitor of the Herald-Sun.
sabine.vollmer@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-8992.
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