:(

So who is it?

I cant find the "1 Oct" isting of the staffers. However the 1 Oct listing states that it will be released on 16 Oct.

From the S-R's values statement: "We tell people what we know when we know it, without fear or favor."

Cowles' Corollary: Unless, of course, it would make us look bad or reduce the sale value of the paper. Then we'll delay releasing the information for as long as we can.

Hey newsy and wanna know,

What the paper decides to publish and how it makes those kinds of decisions is what the whole transparency effort was about. Its intent was to make people more aware of how news gets into the paper.

As for who got laid off this month, that's incredibly personal and painful for those involved, and frankly none of your business unless they choose to tell you. You have the numbers, make your assumptions about how it will impact news content and quality.

I will say, however, that I am the one person who decided to take a voluntary layoff to pursue other job opportunities. I'm saddened to leave my hard-working and talented coworkers, but excited about my own future.

Gee, Amy,

"...frankly none of your business unless they choose to tell you" sounds a lot like the kind of retort public officials give newsies who ask. Don't let the doorknob hit you in your butt on the way out. Sanctimony, thy name is canned journalist.

The difference being, of course, that public officials are on the public payroll, while The Spokesman-Review is a private company. I can't think of a private company we've covered that released a roster of laid-off employees, unless you're talking about top positions. And we published that news on the front page. Cowardice, thy name is anonymous blog post.

Of course, one could also make the argument that newspaper employees, especially editors and reporters, are public figures by merit of having their names appear in such a public forum, and that their layoffs are therefore newsworthy.

But that's just an argument one could make. :)

In seriousness, my best wishes to all involved. My paper is going through rough times, too. It is not a happy time to be in the newspaper industry.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Addy.

Did it ever occur to you (on the way out the door, hopefully) that the Stacy & Gary Show are trying to withhold the names because when customers see the better reporters are leaving, they're less likely to renew or subscribe? Hurts the ol' ad revenue when the "reporters" have no journalism experience or training.