News Cycle announced Monday that over 15,000 journalists have lost their jobs through layoffs or buyouts this year, with more heavy losses expected in December.
But are things getting better?
Based on the News Cycle figures, the end of the first and second quarters in 2009 saw the most bloodshed. From August onward, numbers dropped significantly, and the rate of layoffs stayed flat.
But with The New York Times cutting another 50 jobs by the end of December, more layoffs expected by News Cycle at the LA Times, and newsrooms across the country struggling to meet year-end financial projections, this month may not be pretty.
In a memo announcing the unfortunate news, NYT Editor Bill Keller said, "The fact that these hard choices have hit us in a season that should be festive only compounds the pain."
Good luck to all of those who are taking on this brave new world. I’m going to follow up with a list of options for newly liberated journalists to try.
Number 1? Register on GroundReport to continue to build your journalism portfolio, keep your name out there and stay informed.