East Bay Express: No reporters, no news?. (A)ll union editorial employees at the San Jose Mercury News have been ordered to not come to work on December 5 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Merc management told the reporters and photogs earlier this week that they should remain at home, waiting by their phones for a call that will tell them whether they’ve lost their jobs.
Having spent many happy years at the Mercury News, the paper’s implosion, which was somewhat slow-motion but is gathering speed, leaves me with a deep sadness.
It was probably inevitable, despite the blatantly misleading comments Dean Singleton, CEO of the new owner, Medianews, made after his company bought the paper. Remember, only a few months ago, when he said his company was “getting the flagship and the crown jewel of Knight Ridder.” The diamond-cutters are in the building.