SALT LAKE CITY -
The Deseret News, the longest running daily newspaper in Utah announced Tuesday it will cut nearly half of its staff as part of a new company strategy. The company said 85 newsroom positions are being eliminated, but some staff will remain on board for a few months for a transition period. The layoffs consist of 57 full-time and 28 part-time employees. Publisher Jim Wall and Editor Joe Cannon will also step down and the paper will move operations to the Triad Center, which currently houses KSL TV and Radio.
Wall and Cannon will both remain with the newspaper in an advisory role to President and CEO Clark Gilbert to assist the organization in this transition.
In making the announcement, Gilbert cited the root causes driving changes that are common among newspapers everywhere.
"We are in a period of massive innovation," said Gilbert. "Audiences are migrating from traditional newspapers to digital news sources, which allows us to reach more audiences than ever before. These shifts have caused some newspapers to simply cut costs, causing them to fade in influence. We choose to innovate and lead. Today we announce a five-part plan for our future."
Part of that plan includes launching Deseret Connect, which includes the editorial advisory board, a group of story contributors and reports from sister company KSL.
Wall and Cannon will both remain with the newspaper in an advisory role to President and CEO Clark Gilbert to assist the organization in this transition.
In making the announcement, Gilbert cited the root causes driving changes that are common among newspapers everywhere.
"We are in a period of massive innovation," said Gilbert. "Audiences are migrating from traditional newspapers to digital news sources, which allows us to reach more audiences than ever before. These shifts have caused some newspapers to simply cut costs, causing them to fade in influence. We choose to innovate and lead. Today we announce a five-part plan for our future."
Part of that plan includes launching Deseret Connect, which includes the editorial advisory board, a group of story contributors and reports from sister company KSL.