Tough times for Gannett

Gannett Company is reportedly poised to cut more than 1,000 jobs (7/1/09) as it tries to overcome the financial woes of the current recession.

It’s not yet known how these massive cuts will impact the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, the only Gannett newspaper in South Dakota.

A decade ago, Gannett – the largest newspaper company in the United States – employed some 41,000 workers. Including the imminent round of reductions, Gannett employees will number closer to 28,000.

A half century ago, journalist Paul Miller – an Oklahoman – headed the Gannett organization and helped it become the largest newspaper chain in America. Although I never met Paul Miller (no relation), I had the privilege of serving as KOSU General Manager/Assistant Professor for a few years in the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting at Oklahoma State University. That was in the 1970s.

It was Oklahoma A & M University back in 1931 when Miller earned his degree in Stillwater. Born in Missouri, he spent much of his youth in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Then, while attending A & M, he took a year off to work for the Okema Daily Leader. That's a young Paul Miller reviewing some copy in the photo at left.

Oklahoma State University has put together a nice collection of Paul Miller photographs/quotations. Despite his enormous success as a manager and leader in the newspaper and broadcasting business, he apparently considered himself first and foremost as a “reporter.” Reading through numerous quotes attributed to Paul Miller is inspiring. Had journalism not strayed from some of the principles embraced by Miller, I doubt that the industry would be in quite the pickle it is today.

Not that Miller – or his successor, South Dakotan Al Neuharth – could have staved off all the troubles facing the media in 2009. But I believe much of the media lost public trust long before the economic meltdown began late last year.

Miller and Neuharth are long gone from decision making at Gannett. Let’s hope that the principles advocated by Paul Miller will find followers in a new generation of journalists, motivating them to believe in and practice objectivity, fairness, and truth.

"SUBSTANCE ahead of Form;

BALANCE ahead of Speed;

COMPLETENESS ahead of Color;

ACCURACY ahead of everything. . ."

-- Paul Miller, September 18, 1965

Emerging figure in U.S. media

In a sharp contrast to media mogul Rupert Murdoch, a little-know but wealthy Mexican billionaire named Carlos Slim has become a significant stakeholder in the New York Times Company. Unlike Murdoch, who likes a “hands on” approach to his media holdings (New York Post, Dow Jones Company, Wall Street Journal, etc.), Slim indicates that he has no plans to become involved in day-to-day dealings at the struggling newspaper.

The 68-year-old Slim made his fortune by buying inexpensive properties and then turning them into valuable investments. He’s best-known as owner of TelMex, the largest phone company in Mexico. He has begun turning over operation of TelMex to his sons, apparently in a move to begin easing out of decision-making roles. This is consistent with his approach to his 6.4 percent stake in the Times. He has reportedly become quite a philanthropist, too. With holdings near $60 billion, that's not surprising -- but good to hear.

Interestingly, Slim lists Warren Buffett, “the sage of Omaha,” as someone he admires. With New York Times ad revenue down by 14 percent during the first half of this year, perhaps Slim -- like Murdoch at the Wall Street Journal -- will be tempted to offer advice, although it would have to resonate strongly in the ears of the Ochs-Sulzberger families, which apparently still control 70% of the Times.

Newspapers across the country continue their struggles to survive. Gannett Company said last month that they’re cutting some 1,000 newspaper jobs, and closer to home, Lee Enterprises is paring jobs in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota.