National Study and Boston Media Expert Blister Projo and Parent Company for Cuts
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National Study and Boston Media Expert Blister Projo and Parent Company for Cuts
A University of North Carolina study paints a bleak picture for the feature of newspapers — and calls out GateHouse Media for their devastating cuts at the Providence Journal as well as some of their other assets. The data used in the study is from 2017 and the cuts and closures have only increased in 2018.
The study “THE EXPANDING NEWS DESERT" finds that there is a growing number of newspapers that have closed and or been slashed.
“The announcement that a newspaper is being sold to GateHouse – the largest newspaper chain in the country — has become commonplace in recent years. Since 2013, the company has spent more than $1 billion on acquisitions, snapping up dozens of papers in 15 states at greatly reduced valuations,” cited the study.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“As a result, GateHouse-owned newsrooms are often half the size within a matter of months. The experience at the Columbia (Missouri) Daily-Tribune, an independently owned paper that Gatehouse purchased in 2016, is typical. Multiple rounds of layoffs have wiped out more than half the newsroom staff of 20, leaving only one full-time state and politics reporter as of February 2018, responsible for covering a community of 120,000 residents. In addition, GateHouse eliminated local columnists and the longtime editorial cartoonist,” cited UNC’s study.
Dan Kennedy, a professor of Journalism at Northeastern University and a columnist for WGBH in Boston calls out GateHouse’s devastating cuts at the Providence Journal as one of the worst examples of corporate cutting.
“GateHouse’s decimation of the ProJo, which it purchased in 2014, has been especially brutal: By July 2018, newsroom employment had been cut by 75 percent, bringing the staffing levels below 100. According to the NewsGuild-CWA, there were fewer than 20 reporters and columnists responsible for covering both state and city government,” wrote Kennedy in a column published on Wednesday.
But the UNC study Kennedy references was written months before another round of Providence Journal buyouts and a recent round of layoffs.
In addition, the Providence Journal has slashed columnists like Scott Turner, who is joining GoLocal weekly.
Kennedy points out that the UNC study finds:
- About 60 daily newspapers and 1,700 weeklies have closed since 2004, an overall decline of about 25 percent.
- Nearly 200 of the 3,143 counties in the United States no longer have a newspaper. More than 2,000 counties have no daily paper.
- Residents in these “news deserts” — that is, areas without newspapers — “are generally poorer, older and less educated than the average American.”
In Rhode Island, the newspapers like the Providence Phoenix and the Newport Mercury (closed by GateHouse) have disappeared.
Corporate Consolidation
“The GateHouse acquisition spree has been fueled by debt. In 2017, its total debt equaled $609 million, roughly 14 times its cash flow," according to the report. GateHouse's corporate publicly traded parent company New Media Investment Group saw its stock bounce back a bit on Thursday, but is still trading down nearly 20 percent from its 52-week high. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter numbers on Wednesday.
"All of this calls into question how sustainable New Media/GateHouse’s aggressive acquisition and regional roll-up strategy will be long-term, especially as the company pivots away from smaller markets with less competition and focuses, instead, on acquiring dailies in larger, metro areas with numerous media competitors," writes the UNC study.
The cuts and departures include some of the best-known remaining names at the Providence newspaper.
Deputy Editorial Page Editor Randy Edgar, reporter Andy Smith, photographer Glenn Osmundson, and online producer Stephen Ide were let go from the Providence Journal. The Projo layoffs are just part of the story.
The Newport Daily News' Ann Randall, Jane Bailey, Debbie Deming left the paper as well.
Alan Rosenberg, Executive Editor of the Providence Journal told GoLocal in September, “We had some layoffs in Providence yesterday, due to continued difficult business conditions. We’ll continue to deploy staff and freelance writers to make sure that we are covering Rhode Island’s most interesting and important stories.”
The closures by GateHouse have left some communities in the so-called "news desert."
In Arkansas alone, the newspaper group has closed a total of five papers in recent weeks. The closures are leaving multiple communities without any news coverage.
GateHouse Media, which last week closed two newspapers in central Arkansas, will follow that up with three more closings in Hope, Arkadelphia and Prescott.
“A community loses part of its spirit when it loses its newspaper. We're saddened for the hard-working employees of these five newspapers that have a long history with our association,” said Ashley Wimberley in an email to GoLocal. She is the executive director of the Arkansas Press Association.
“September 14 will be the last day of operations for the Siftings-Herald in Arkadelphia, the Hope Star and the Nevada County Picayune-Times in Prescott,” reported the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Efforts to reach Rosenberg for this article were unsuccessful.
GoLocal Statewide Poll - FULL RESULTS, Conducted by Harvard's Della Volpe Oct. 2018
Are you registered to vote in Rhode Island?
Yes.: 100%
What is your gender
Male.: 45%
Female: 55%
Where do you live?
Metro Providence: 28%
West Bay: 27%
Blackstone Valley: 22%
East Bay: 13%
South County: 10%
Could you please indicate your age?
18-24: 7%
25-34: 16%
35-44: 16%
45-54: 20%
55-64: 17%
65+: 25%
This question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
50,000 or less: 32%
More $50,000 but less than $75,000: 18%
More $75,000 but less than $100,000: 16%
More $100,000 but less than $150,000: 14%
$150,000 or more: 11%
Don't know/Refused: 10%
What was the last grade you completed in school?
0-11: 1%
High school grad: 17%
Technical/Vocational school: 4%
Some college: 26%
College grad: 32%
Graduate degree: 21%
What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?
White, Non-Hispanic: 80%
Black or African-American: 7%
Latino or Hispanic: 6%
Other: 8%
Which of the following best describes your current employment status?
Employed full-time: 45%
Employed part-time: 10%
Self-employed: 6%
Not employed / Homemaker: 6%
Not employed: 28%
Student: 4%
Which one of these best describes your religious preference or spiritual outlook?
Catholic: 43%
Protestant:10%
Fundamentalist/Evangelical Christian: 4%
Jewish: 3%
Muslim: 1%
LDS/Mormon: *
Another religion: 3%
Atheist: 7%
Secular humanist: 2%
No religious preference: 21%
Not sure: 5%
When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
Democrat: 38%
Republican: 15%
Moderate: 6%
Unaffiliated: 39%
Don't know/Refused: 3%
In November, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election? Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Definitely be voting: 86%
Probably be voting: 14%
Did you vote in the 2014 midterm elections?
Yes: 80%
No: 10%
I don't remember: 9%
Did you vote in the 2016 general election for president?
Yes: 89%
No: 8%
I don't remember: 1%
I was not eligible: 2%
For whom did you vote?
Hillary Clinton: 48%
Donald Trump: 36%
Someone else: 14%
I do not remember: 2%
What would you say is the number one problem facing Rhode Island that you would like the Governor to address? [Open-Ended Response]
Jobs and economy: 21%
Taxes: 20%
Roads: 11%
Education: 8%
State budget: 6%
Corruption/Public integrity: 5%
Healthcare: 4%
Immigration: 4%
Drugs and Opioids: 3%
Entitlements: 3%
Housing: 2%
Governor: 2%
Homelessness:1%
Don’t Know: 7%
Other: 5%
In general, would you say things in Rhode Island are headed in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track?
Right track: 19%
Wrong track: 38%
Mixed: 43%
Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following candidates for governor of Rhode Island? [RANDOMIZED]
Gina Raimondo, a Democrat
I am sure to vote for her: 18%
There is a good chance I will vote for her: 20%
It is possible that I vote for her: 17%
It is unlikely that I will vote for her: 13%
I will never vote for her: 32%
Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following candidates for governor of Rhode Island? [RANDOMIZED]
Allan Fung, a Republican
I am sure to vote for him: 15%
There is a good chance I will vote for him: 13%
It is possible that I vote for him: 23%
It is unlikely that I will vote for him: 20%
I will never vote for him: 29%
Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following candidates for governor of Rhode Island? [RANDOMIZED]
Joe Trillo, an Independent
I am sure to vote for him: 3%
There is a good chance I will vote for him: 6%
It is possible that I vote for him: 31%
It is unlikely that I will vote for him: 30%
I will never vote for him: 30%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Has a vision for the state.
Allan Fung: 25%
Gina Raimondo: 31%
Joe Trillo: 11%
None: 12%
Don't know: 22%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will ensure that we have high-quality affordable health care.
Allan Fung: 13%
Gina Raimondo: 28%
Joe Trillo: 11%
None: 17%
Don't know: 31%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Cares about people like me.
Allan Fung: 23%
Gina Raimondo: 25%
Joe Trillo: 14%
None: 19%
Don't know: 19%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will make government more accountable to the people.
Allan Fung: 21%
Gina Raimondo: 24%
Joe Trillo: 12%
None: 19%
Don't know: 24%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will stand up to special interests.
Allan Fung: 17%
Gina Raimondo: 21%
Joe Trillo: 17%
None: 19%
Don't know: 25%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is committed to improving education in public schools.
Allan Fung: 21%
Gina Raimondo: 43%
Joe Trillo: 6%
None: 9%
Don't know: 21%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is a fighter for the middle class.
Allan Fung: 22%
Gina Raimondo: 27%
Joe Trillo: 15%
None: 16%
Don't know: 19%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is honest and trustworthy.
Allan Fung: 19%
Gina Raimondo: 25%
Joe Trillo: 9%
None: 23%
Don't know: 25%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will hold the line on taxes.
Allan Fung: 24%
Gina Raimondo: 19%
Joe Trillo: 13%
None: 19%
Don't know: 25%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is fiscally responsible.
Allan Fung: 28%
Gina Raimondo: 29%
Joe Trillo: 10%
None: 12%
Don't know: 21%
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Brings fresh ideas and perspectives.
Allan Fung: 23%
Gina Raimondo: 25%
Joe Trillo: 15%
None: 17%
Don't know: 19%
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?
Gina Raimondo, a Democrat: 40%
Allan Fung, a Republican: 32%
Joe Trillo, an Independent: 17%
Don't know: 11%
Attorney generals in several states have begun investigating sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, opening investigations and issuing subpoenas for documents.
Do you favor or oppose the Rhode Island Attorney General opening an investigation into the Archdiocese of Providence on issues related to possible sexual abuse of children?
Net: Support: 89%
Strongly Support: 61%
Somewhat Support: 27%
Net: Oppose: 7%
Somewhat Oppose: 5%
Strongly Oppose: 3%
Don't Know 4%
If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders, for whom would you vote?
Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat: 56%
Robert Flanders, a Republican: 32%
Don't know 12%
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the quality of care for Rhode Islanders will:
Improve: 21%
Worsen: 19%
Stay about the same: 44%
Don't know: 16%
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the number of jobs available to Rhode Islanders will:
Increase: 22%
Decrease: 27%
Stay about the same: 38%
Don't know 13%
The City of Providence and the state of Rhode Island are considering a proposal by New York
developer Jason Fane to build a 46-story luxury residence tower in Providence, next to a public
riverfront park. The developer will invest $250 to $300 million of his own funds. The project is
called the Hope Point Tower, it would be 170-feet taller than the Superman building and would
require waiving height restrictions and the use of state tax credits.
Net: Favor: 39%
Strongly favor: 15%
Somewhat favor: 23%
Net: Oppose: 52%
Somewhat oppose: 26%
Strongly oppose: 26%
Don't know:10%
Earlier this year, legislation was filed in the General Assembly that would require that all Rhode Island public schools have a school resource officer on the premises -- if a school has over 1,200 students -- two school resource officers would need to be present.
Net: Support: 68%
Strongly Support: 37%
Somewhat Support: 32%
Net: Oppose: 25%
Somewhat Oppose: 14%
Strongly Oppose: 10%
Don't Know: 7%
Do you support or oppose expanding Rhode Island’s free college tuition program at the
Community College of Rhode Island to the state’s two four-year colleges so that the last two
years of tuition at Rhode Island College and URI would be free for those recent high school
graduates, who are in a solid academic standing, and on track to graduate in four years? It is estimated that the cost of the program would be $35 million.
Net: Support: 55%
Strongly Support: 29%
Somewhat Support: 25%
Net: Oppose: 40%
Somewhat Oppose: 17%
Strongly Oppose: 24%
Don't Know: 5%
Do you support or oppose an Educational Bill of Rights for students and parents in Rhode Island that includes:
1) The right to be taught by effective teachers.
2) The right not to be taught by teachers who, after due process evaluation, fail to meet standards established by state and local education officials.
3) The right to appropriate academic materials and resources.
4) The right to safe, clean and environmental-friendly school facilities.
5) The right to emotionally supportive schools that do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or abuse.
6) The right to attend a school where funding is based on student need with the goal of providing
access to adequate educational opportunities.
7) The right to a pathway out of a failing school.
8) The right to a fair, accurate and transparent assessment system that measures student
performance and need.
9) The right of parents to current and reliable information about their child’s progress and performance.
Net: Support: 84%
Strongly Support: 51%
Somewhat Support: 33%
Net: Oppose: 9%
Somewhat Oppose: 7%
Strongly Oppose: 2%
Don't Know: 7%
Recently, Governor Gina Raimondo has been criticized for accepting $12,500 in campaign and
PAC contributions from members of the Sackler family. Owners of Purdue Pharma, the Sackler
family has been profiled in multiple national news outlets for fueling the US opioid addiction epidemic, through its painkiller OxyContin.
The Financial Times has also reported that the family also owns Rhodes Pharma, Rhode Island-
based drug maker that is among the largest producers of off-patent generic opioids in the US.
If Governor Gina Raimondo asked you for advice on this – would you suggest that she …
Return the money: 71%
Keep the money: 15%
Don't know: 14%
In terms of the number of women who face sexual harassment in the workplace – would you say that sexual harassment in Rhode Island is a …
Major problem: 35%
Minor problem: 36%
Not a problem 7%
Don't know 22%
Which party do you believe is most responsible for the Providence school bus strike?
Teamsters Local 251: 31%
The bus company: 21%
Mayor Jorge Elorza: 19%
Don't know: 29%
