Editorial Department Downsizing at LAT

The next few weeks will be very tense for the editorial department at the Los Angeles Times, with possible cutbacks coming next month. According to The Wall Street Journal, I have been told this is only speculation on their part, the Tribune Company would sell off all of the television stations and payout a dividend to its shareholders.

But if this auction ends as many expect, Tribune will have to self-inflict the kinds of harsh changes that normally come from an outside buyer. That will mean even steeper cost cutting and asset sales.

Kevin Roderick at LAObserved ran a story about the possible changes coming to the Times.

Amid resurgent newsroom talk of personnel cuts by the end of the quarter — that's March 31 for you civilians — the Times this afternoon undermined staff morale a bit more. A note just went out from the editorial hiring and development team letting everybody know that the annual awards gathering — where the best reporting, editing, photography and design of the year are honored — has been postponed.

Tribune Employees across the country are waiting for the outcome of this situation closely.