Digital newsrooms “gutted” by layoffs

 

Last month, Buzzfeed News announced job cuts that staff said would “gut our newsroom” as three top editors resigned. Then, a few weeks later, the parent company for The Intercept announced that 20 staff members would be laid off. This comes after two of the worst years in the history of journalism, in which more than 6,100 news industry workers were laid off and at least 100 outlets shut down in the wake of COVID-19. We here at Common Dreams have not been forced to make these kinds of announcements—yet. But we need to be honest with you. We’re facing the same headwinds that are affecting every other news outlet, and if the trend lines continue the way they have been, we will be forced to make layoffs, just like other news outlets have. Common Dreams is counting on you to help meet our Spring Campaign goal of $100,000. And if we fall short, we will have no choice but to consider cutbacks. Two major forces are squeezing independent digital media: Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook are increasingly steering traffic away from Common Dreams, making it more and more difficult for new readers to find us. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has driven up costs for everything we do. As readership has remained flat, donations have not kept pace with rising expenses. Common Dreams has rarely, if ever, faced economic challenges this serious, and our Spring Campaign is do or die. Please chip in whatever you can afford today and help keep the progressive, nonprofit journalism of Common Dreams alive. DONATE With gratitude, Craig Brown Co-Founder for the whole Common Dreams news team PS: Common Dreams relies on its sustaining donors to keep us going full steam ahead. Will you become a monthly donor today? Common Dreams is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 20-3368194 Call 207.775.0488 to donate by phone or mail a check to: Common Dreams, PO Box 443, Portland, ME 04112, United States