Friday, July 06, 2018

Canada’s Postmedia to close six papers

Canada’s largest newspaper publisher, Postmedia Network, is closing six community newspapers and scraping print editions and offering staff buyouts at others to cut costs, the Camrose Canadian reports. The Canadian is one of the papers to be closed.
A June 26 internal Postmedia memo said the company will cut salary expenses 10 percent by Aug. 31. The salary reduction will result from layoffs and voluntary buyouts.
The memo from chief executive Paul Godfrey and chief operating officer Andrew MacLeod mentioned recent growth in digital advertising, but said more cuts are necessary as print advertising and subscription revenue drop. 
Along with the Canadian, Postmedia will close the Strathmore Standard in Alberta and the Kapuskasing Northern Times, Ingersoll Times, Norwich Gazette and Petrolia Topic in Ontario.
The closures will mean 16 job losses in sales, distribution and editorial, according to Postmedia spokeswoman Phyllise Gelfand. 
The Graphic in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and the Northern News in Kirkland Lake and Pembroke Observer in Ontario will no longer have print editions, but will keep a digital presence. In Alberta, the High River Times will be published weekly instead of biweekly. 

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