Comments on: Media: GateHouse sells off two newspapers

By: Bookworm

Bookworm — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:49:13 +0000

If GateHouse DID improve the morale and benefits at the Times-Observer, the previous management must have REALLY sucked.

I suspect as much because I did attempt to apply for a job there once (pre-Gatehouse), and was immediately turned off by a number of things, particularly their “no-compete” clause forbidding ANYONE who worked for them from working for ANY other newspaper within a 50-mile radius for 6 months after they quit. They actually attempted to enforce this clause (which is designed for high-profile print columnists, TV anchors, etc.) against people like barely-above-minimum-wage ad reps who quit to work for other area newspapers.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:46:16 +0000

Dewayne

I work for a Gatehouse paper they bought two years ago.

NO raise since they bought it.
Benefits about the same.
They laid off 20 people when they bought us.
Left in place incompetent and harassing managers.
They’re JUST LIKE JRC

By: cgiselle12

cgiselle12 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:40:57 +0000

maybe in reducing their own bloat, from over-buying, Gatehouse can focus on being a good newspaper company? I actually like the changes made to the Times Observer, too, the website et al. It’s good stuff. PJS has a vastly improved website as well.

By: Peo Proud

Peo Proud — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:56:48 +0000

DeWayne,

Thanks for sharing the insiders perspective – always good to know there are two sides of an issue. Hope they make it through the current difficulties in a manner that enables them to continue strengthening your weekly.

By: dewayne

dewayne — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:36:03 +0000

I have to call you on this one Bill.
There have been no staff reductions at Times Newspapers.
We were lean before GateHouse bought us.
And, as a personal aside, I like life under GateHouse.
They let us start our sports section.
They brought back columns.
They gave each paper a Web site.
They encouraged us to start blogs.
The benefits even improved.
They have made a considerable investment in technology here.
The morale around here is very high.
Gatehouse has been very good to Times Newspapers.
We are treated well.

By: Correction

Correction — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:22:53 +0000

Who says the Pekin Daily Times has faced reductions? It is not true. Not a single newsroom position has been cut in many years. Not one. I think the last cut was made about … oh, six years ago? When one person left her position was not filled again. The PDT was never overstaffed in the first place, as so many others were.