http://www.medianewsmonitor.org News of Singleton and MediaNews Copyright 2011 The Newspaper Guild en-us Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:59:43 -0400 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:59:43 -0400 http://sjguild.org/rss/jpg/MNMonitor.jpg http://www.medianewsmonitor.org 140 50 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8082 We learned a little more this week about the future of our publications. Mostly we learned that the original reorganization plan for BANG fell apart, as the new corporate CEO does not favor abandoning lip-service to local journalism. We saw a bit of information about this in a letter to employees from Mac Tully and an updated Q&A sheet sent yesterday. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8082 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8078 Dozens of media workers enhanced their technology abilities and other skills this weekend at the first "Fall Tune-Up for Journalists," a daylong Guild-organized training camp that could become an annual tradition. About 105 people participated in the Saturday event at City College of San Francisco’s Ocean Campus, including some 75 full-time and freelance journalists. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8078 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8057 East Bay workers facing layoff are invited to a series of workshops and panels to help navigate career change. The first meeting, Sept. 14 from 6:30-8:30 in Walnut Creek, introduces programs and services to help in skill assessment and starting a job search. A "Fall Tune-Up" on Oct. 15 in SF will include a full day of workshops and seminars — all free to Guild members. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8057 http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medianews-group-announces-the-appointment-of-john-paton-as-ceo-and-the-retention-of-digital-first-media-to-provide-management-services-129367863.html Alden Global Capital moved Wednesday to consolidate management of its newspaper holdings, merging senior leadership of MediaNews and Journal Register Co. John Paton of Journal Register Co. will be CEO. MediaNews, known for slashing costs, owns the San Jose Mercury News, Monterey Herald and BANG-East Bay. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medianews-group-announces-the-appointment-of-john-paton-as-ceo-and-the-retention-of-digital-first-media-to-provide-management-services-129367863.html http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8048 Career planners will discuss how to cope with job loss and make a new start in or out of journalism during the first in a series of East Bay workshops. Former Bay Area News Group workers will tell how they did it following earlier layoff rounds. Meanwhile, little new information has been shared by management after last week’s announcement that it’s cutting nearly 25 percent of East Bay newsroom jobs to increase profits. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8048 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8045 Leaders of the BANG-East Bay Guild Unit are fielding a lot of questions about the recent announcement by MediaNews that it is consolidating news outlets and laying off 40 or more journalists. Here are answers to the first batch of questions. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8045 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8041 East Bay newsrooms face deep job cuts from collapsing mastheads as the MediaNews Group moves to boost profits. BANG managers said in meetings with Mercury News staff today that the San Jose newsroom will be spared, for the most part, but for two or three additional jobs to be lost this round. Of course, the Merc has sustained repeated cutbacks in previous job reductions. Other impacts remain sketchy. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8041 http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2011/08/23/news-group-rebranding-merges-oakland-tribune-contra-costa-times-other-locals-into-three-papers/#more-37937 Guild leaders have begun reaching out to government and community agencies to help members cope with job loss in the East Bay, noting the chaos of consolidation and failed business plans shows no sign of ending. An interview by KQED with Media Workers Executive Officer Carl Hall surveyed the new landscape. http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2011/08/23/news-group-rebranding-merges-oakland-tribune-contra-costa-times-other-locals-into-three-papers/#more-37937 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8037 BANG-East Bay management plans to reorganize its publications under two daily mastheads, each with its own local section, with new emphasis on bigger-picture news on the cover. Those changes will involve job loss. Management tells the Guild they estimate about 40 newsroom layoffs in BANG-EB, including both members and management. Including other parts of the company, they estimate that we will lose about 120 jobs. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8037 http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8036 In a news release today, the Bay Area News Group announced a "rebranding" of its East Bay newspapers that will mean the loss of 120 jobs. Managers said about 40 newsroom jobs will be cut. The company will close its Walnut Creek plant, and collapse several small dailies under two common mastheads, The Times and the East Bay Tribune. Regional news, business and sports will be emphasized, the company said. http://www.medianewsmonitor.org/news.php?ID=8036