New York Daily News cuts half its editorial staff in latest downsizing

The New York Daily News on Monday announced that it is cutting half its editorial staff in a round of massive layoffs at the 99-year-old tabloid.

“We are fundamentally restructuring the Daily News,” an email to staff from the paper’s new owner, Tronc, reads. “We are reducing today the size of the editorial team by approximately 50 percent and re-focusing much of our talent on breaking news — especially in areas of crime, civil justice and public responsibility.”

“The decisions being announced today reflect the realities of our business and the need to adapt an ever-changing media environment,” Tronc added in the email. “They are not a reflection on the significant talent that is leaving today. Let there be no doubt: these colleagues are highly valued and will be missed.”

The email adds that human resources will inform employees of their status by the end of the day.

Included in the layoffs is Editor-in-Chief Jim Rich, a harsh critic of President Trump.

Rich took to Twitter on Monday to signal the layoffs would be happening.

“If you hate democracy and think local governments should operate unchecked and in the dark, then today is a good day for you,” wrote Rich.

If you hate democracy and think local governments should operate unchecked and in the dark, then today is a good day for you.

— Jim Rich (@therealjimrich) July 23, 2018

Rich also changed his Twitter bio, which now reads: “Just a guy sitting at home watching journalism being choked into extinction.”

Many of the newspaper’s top writers, including baseball columnist John Harper and news columnist Peter Botte, reportedly told other staffers during a rain delay at Yankee Stadium on Sunday that they would likely no longer be with the Daily News.

Frank Isola, the paper’s New York Knicks reporter, who is often seen on ESPN and has been with the Daily News since 1996, also reportedly told friends he’ll be exiting.

Chicago-based Tronc has executed layoffs at other publications it owns, most notably at the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times as print media continues to struggle in an increasingly digital and competitive environment.