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Layoffs leave Baltimore Sun newsroom reeling

April 28, 2009 at 10:01 pm 7

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Late-breaking news from 501 N. Calvert Street:

Longtime reporters and editors at The Baltimore Sun were laid off today in “a wholesale thinning of the editing ranks,” according to a newsroom source. “The place is in shock.”

A Sun spokesman could not be reached for confirmation late yesterday but according to sources, the layoffs were discussed by editor Monty Cook in “a somber announcement” to staffers in the newsroom this evening.”

“Cook said that more layoffs have occurred in other parts of the building today, and more are likely in the coming days,” the source said. “He offered no numbers, saying that information would have to come from a company spokesperson. He expressed regret, and said the move was forced by declining ad revenues at The Sun, and not within Tribune at large.”

More information when it becomes available tomorrow……

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  • Greg

    Just in case anyone else is wondering dcrtv.com is reporting that about 15 editors mid and top level editors were laid off.

  • Debbie Jones

    Not surprising but OMG, they’re coming awfully close to the edge. It is past time for me to cancel my subscription. Today is the day.

  • http://Beentoboth Steve Kaiser

    Debbie–I’m with you on that although I beat you by six months. Haven’t missed it yet as I settle in with my NY Times every morning, followed by the Brew.

    Steve

    • Editor

      Some people have spoken up with fond recollections and high praise for some of the departing Sun people….

      This from Candus Thomson:
      “Over 20 years here, I worked for Patricia Fanning in three sections of the paper, Business, Metro and Sports, and she was by far the finest line editor this paper had. She was a reporter’s editor, who stayed as late as you did, fought for your words when higher-ups sought to remake them in their own image and made sure every piece– from photos to graphics to headlines–showcased your work.”

      And this from Tim Wheeler:
      “I second Candy’s eulogy for Patricia. She was my editor for several years in the ‘90s. She is meticulous and caring, not just about your copy but about you personally. I’d add a similar tribute for my most recent editor, Eileen Canzian, for and with whom I’ve worked for years. She has a keen eye for getting to the nut of a story, and a fierce dedication to saying it just right. She’d fight for your story, and for you. I mix my tenses here, out of denial. They’re no longer here, but they haven’t lost those traits that make them great journalists.”

      And this from Jon Morgan on Patricia Fanning:
      “absolutely. Nothing got past her in copy and she could spot a logical hole a mile away from a story. But she remained a humanist of the highest order – as evidenced by the way she quietly took care of people in need, including colleagues with medical and other problems. Generous and kind.
      And I’m not just saying that because she hired me!

      “Fern, these were some of the best journalists in the business – and some of the best people I know. The paper has survived cutbacks and the loss of key people in the past. But this many all at once is heart breaking.”

      Others are encouraged to comment as well……..

      • Editor

        And another comment, this from Frank Roylance:
        I worked with Patricia for a number of years. My copy would come back plastered with her boldface, redface or all-caps edits. It was always a shock, an ego-deflater. But as I worked through them, I immediately saw what she was up to. She was almost always right, and by the time we were finished, the stories had always been improved, and I told her so. She was always sharp, she “got” what was cool, or interesting, or important about a science story. And she battled for them in meetings. Most important of all, she managed to do it all and remain a warm and genuine human being. What a loss.

      • Editor

        Another email from a former Sun reporter who is a Patricia Fanning admirer:
        “I’ll leave it to others to address the incalculable loss of professional talent, integrity, and institutional memory from these layoffs and the effect they will have on the Sun’s work and stature in the community. Without seeming to leave anyone out, I want to especially voice my sadness and disappointment about Patricia Fanning’s exit. I was recruited to the Evening Sun by Patricia, where she was my first editor. She was meticulous, demanding and at the same time supportive as an editor, assuring her reporters that our efforts would be rewarded by her loyalty, hard work and willingness to fight for our stories—an example I’ve tried to keep in mind as an editor. I also worked with her as a fellow editor, where I was welcomed as a member of the team (even as rookie!) and where her energy, organizational skills and journalistic experience always made me breathe easier when all hell was breaking loose. She’s been an inspiration, and her departure is a huge loss to the Sun.”
        -Mark Bomster

        • Editor

          And still more, this from a former Sun/Evening Sun reporter/editor Ernie Imhoff:
          “After 28 years as an editor in Sun/Evening Sun management, I was assigned to be a reporter again in 1996. It was a splash of cold water. I was extremely lucky to get Patricia Fanning as an editor for my non-profits beat. She made the reverse transition one of my best experiences in newspapering. Sharp, smart, occasionally annoying, always caring. The three years reporting with her helped lead in my retirement to two maritime books and a just completed 37-minute DVD “A Beautiful Ship”. Thanks, Patricia.
          The other day, as I quick-hobbled around Druid Hill Lake with my cane (after eight-vertebra 2005 spine surgery), Eileen Canzian whizzed past in a running race and shouted out a quick greeting to me. Boy, that pepped me up. She and Patricia and many others did the same thing in the newsroom. Thanks.
          We’ve always been most lucky to know the newspaper skills and good natures of the many Sunpapers editors we’ve called friends. We wish them all the best.”

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