In yet another sign that South Carolina’s most liberal newspaper is moving inexorably toward the “ash heap of history,” McClatchy Newspapers – parent company of La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper) – announced last week that it was cutting another 1,100 jobs and slashing dividends to shareholders.
You may recall earlier this year when we broke the news that a dozen La Socialista employees had been let go as part of a nationwide layoff of 1,400 employees.
You may also recall earlier this week when we explained how nobody really cares what the paper says anymore.
Seriously … with the exception of its sports page, they’ve got about the same influence as a dog barking.
In addition to La Socialista, McClatchy also owns four other South Carolina newspapers – The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News, the Rock Hill Herald, the Beaufort Gazette and the Hilton Head Island Packet.
No word yet on how this latest “restructuring” will affect those outlets.
Of course, if you’re worried about these so-called “journalists” landing on their feet, you shouldn’t be.
After all, former La Socialista business reporter Jim Duplessis (who got “eased out” during this summer’s round of layoffs) landed a nice job working for S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Carol Fowler.
It also goes the other way, as a few years back La Socialista hired a former communications director to Democratic Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum to serve as a “copy editor.”
“He will not be reporting,” one of the paper’s editors told us at the time, but less than six months later, that’s exactly what he was doing.
Of course it’s not like La Socialista ever really tried to hide its bias or conceal its conflicts of interest. Or for that matter finesse its less-than-subtle attempts at blackmailing people into advertising with them.
Anyway, from domain-b.com, here’s the skinny on how poorly McClatchy is faring thanks to these tactics:
The group’s advertising revenue declined nearly 18 per cent in August over last year over a 19 per cent drop in June and July. McClatchy’s classified advertising dropped 30 per cent in August, while national advertising declined 20 per cent. Overall print media advertising declined 20 per cent.
McClatchy’s online advertising revenue rose 7.4 per cent while Internet ads made up 13 per cent of overall advertising revenue at the company.
McClatchy Co, which cut 1,400 jobs in two months ago and announced a one-year pay freeze for employees to save over $70 million, expects the latest job cuts and other initiatives to help it save around $100 million, over the next year.
We’ve written in the past about the tanking newsprint and soaring Internet ad markets, which reminds us that all you have to do to stop wasting your money on fossilized media like La Socialista is click here.
We’re even open to alternative payment methods if you’re interested in reaching our mushrooming audience.
By George Martin September 23, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I wouldn’t be too quick to toss any bouquets for their sports coverage, either. If you’re holding your breath for results of the grudge match between Pelion & Ridge Springs – Monetta, they’re your go-to source for all the details. On the other hand, if you have any appreciation for the wealth of outdoor resources & opportunities here in the Midlands, their coverage amounts to a warmed over DNR fishing report on Fridays & an unremarkable column on some Sundays by a long ago retired & never replaced, Pat Robertson.
By BIN News September 23, 2008 at 6:42 pm
sic(k) willie’s “love-hate” with The State continues. It makes us wonder why he keeps reading since he claims to hate it so much. Some say he has a crush on Cindi, but BIN News knows he’s hot for Brad. Watch your back, Brad.
Funny thing. The last time we checked (like 2 brazillion’ths of a nanosecond ago) sic(k) willie’s blog didn’t have a single advertiser.
None. Zip. Not one. So, who is paying for this blog? SCRG? Howie?? :0
Come on sic(k) supporters. Put your logo where sic(k) willie’s mouth is!
Geee, sorry for that funny. It just slipped out.
The State generates revenue. sic(k) willie bloviates and generates political rhetoric. The State has paid advertisers. sic(k) willie has trolls. The State has paying subscribers. sic(k) willie has “anonymous” sources.
And, as far as we know, The State does not employ any convicted felons.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced – Always
By afkljsad;lfkj;adslfkj;asldjf September 23, 2008 at 6:47 pm
And Sic One still has a stalker. Beat it BIN :0
By Mincing Words September 23, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Go floss your own blog, BIN. Get it all ready for your reader- your mom.
By Joshua Gross September 23, 2008 at 9:54 pm
<blockquote? Overall print media advertising declined 20 per cent.
That’s catastrophic for the entire industry. 20% drop in a month? Ouch…
Bring on the online news networks…
By just me September 23, 2008 at 10:16 pm
The State serves a purpose. BUT, who the hell is BIN news? – nameless (like me – but I am a Dem and SIC knows who I am) – BIN’s posts are nothing but slurs. Save your breath. I for one – even as a Dem – am tired of them. Get a life. And rise above the gutter.
By just me September 23, 2008 at 10:17 pm
ps Will – Lay off The State. It’s far from socialist. Hell, try living in Charleston with the Post-It Courier. All the righ wing; none of the news.
By Amazed September 23, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I didn’t know that La Socialista was even still being printed….. About all it is good for these days is to wrap any fish you’ve caught, lining the parrot cage, or maybe for the potty training of your puppy. What it doesn’t do is provide any material worth reading.
By James September 24, 2008 at 7:35 am
Sounds like The State has the same budget gurus as The State of South Carolina!
Any company that balances it’s budget on the backs of its employees deserves to crash and burn. It’s fun to watch the liberal pillars fall like dominos.
By rick September 24, 2008 at 10:22 am
Wait a minute guys, don’t be so fast in casting The State out. After all, as the previous writer said, puppy training and bird cage lining has it’s place in our society to. Might try a bit of truth here; Newspapers like the state sold their journalistic souls years ago and are the cause of their own demise. Had they had any integrity and plotted a course somewhere in the middle ground where the informed reader just “wants the facts” and none of the opinions of brain dead self important bullshit artists, maybe they might have a shot at surviving. But since I’m just someone who’s interested in the “truth and nothing but the truth” I’ll continue to look at the dozen or so sites relaying information so I CAN MAKE MY OWN MIND UP. Wait a minute, I made a mistake. Since we’re all to be concerned with global warming and environmental issues, stop printing the bird cage liner and save the trees. We’ll all have a warm and fuzzy time……
By Bob Bearden September 24, 2008 at 10:52 am
Yes, the name for this Columbia paper is a misnomer. I now read the New York Times and other national sites for thoughtful
analyses and commentaries. Just don’t respect that group in Columbia. Besides, they are stuck on the same ole same issues. I agree with you Sic-they are biased in many ways. If they don’t like what someone has to say, or if they don’t like that writer, then they just don’t print it.
I give it to you, Sic-you are wide open.
We also get our State around 9:00 in the morning. I plan to call today and cancel all but the Sunday edition. I guess I will hang on to that a little longer.
By Tired September 24, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Brad Warthen and Cindi Scoppe……(k)lassy
and soon to be (hopefully) unemployed.
By Anonymous. Yes. September 24, 2008 at 6:45 pm
What is the deeper meaning in our Tuneage for Today? Sic One, y’all couldn’t have selected it for it’s musical appeal. Sorry ;( .
By fitsnews September 24, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Anon-
“The Killers” rock.
-FITSNews
By Anonymous. Yes. September 24, 2008 at 7:24 pm
fitsnews,
Maybe elsewhere, but not in that there sample………
p.s. I’m old — but talent isn’t dated.
By Anonymous. Yes. September 24, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Lemme pick the Tuneage!!!
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