New York Daily News Layoffs Ax Half The Newsroom Staff

By Andy Campbell and Lydia O’Connor

The New York Daily News, a storied big-city tabloid known for its ruthless and splashy front pages, laid off half its newsroom staff on Monday, marking the latest round of cuts at the beleaguered Tronc company’s media holdings. 

“We are fundamentally restructuring the Daily News,” an email from Tronc to the staff reads. “We are reducing today the size of the editorial team by approximately 50 percent and re-focusing much of our talent on breaking news — especially in areas of crime, civil justice and public responsibility.”
The paper had about 85 newsroom employees prior to the cuts, according to the New York Post.

The notice said human resources would notify those affected by day’s end. As reporters and editors waited, some were seen going around the newsroom, thanking each other for their work. “Just trying to make the best of it,” a staffer said.

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Source: The Huffington Post (via Empire Report New York)

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo
Offering State Help to Avert Layoffs 

"The Daily News, now owned by Tronc, Inc., is apparently firing a major portion of their reporting staff. This will undoubtedly devastate many households and hurt an important New York institution and one of our nation's journalism giants. 

"These layoffs were made without notifying the State or asking for assistance. My father, as Governor, came to the aid of the New York Post when it was facing difficult financial times. Even though the Post represented an opposing active partisan interest, my father understood the value of a robust free press. So do I. 

"I urge Tronc to reconsider this drastic move and stand ready to work with them to avert this disaster. I understand that large corporations often only see profit and dividends as a bottom line. But in New York, we also calculate loss of an important institution, loss of jobs, and the impact on the families affected. I hope Tronc does the same and recalculates its decision. New York State stands ready to help." 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo