The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the latest newspaper to announce job cuts. On Wednesday, they announced that 189 jobs — 85 of them in the newsroom. In addition, some bureaus are closing and special sections will be eliminated.
As a member of the media myself, I hate to see my colleagues out of work. But it’s a sign of the times. Thanks to the Internet, blogs and news sites are making it easier to get news customized for your needs and tastes. For example, as a transplanted Seattleite, I can get news from Washington state, Mariners scores and even my high school’s football scores in a matter of seconds.
I had a feeling the AJC was in trouble when I subscribed. I just wanted the Sunday paper, but it was actually cheaper to get it seven days a week. It was obvious they wanted their subscriber rates up for advertisements. And when fewer and fewer people are reading the paper, what company wants to advertise in it?
Is it a sign of the times? Sure. And yeah, I’m sure the economy and gas prices have something to do with it. But it’s also a tried and true business fact: If you’re not providing the product your audience wants, you’re not going to succeed.
I’m sure the editors and leaders of the AJC don’t want to hear it, but Georgia — even the Atlanta area — is conservative. So why is there only one conservative on the editorial staff?
I’m not privy to their meetings, but I’m just putting a bug in their ears. Maybe taking a hard look at their news coverage and making those hard decisions may not be popular with their friends, but it may just make the AJC relevant again.
