Gannett Layoffs: Knoxville newspaper hit hard today
Kristi Nelson, president of the Knoxville Newspaper Guild, confirmed the News Sentinel newsroom was part of Gannett’s company-wide layoffs Wednesday.
Veteran sports reporter Dan Fleser, who covers the Lady Vols and has been with the News Sentinel for more than 30 years, was let go. Content strategist Amy McDaniel, a talented editor and more recent hire who managed the features sections, among other duties, also was let go.
“It’s distressing to once again be mourning staff cuts in our newsroom,” Nelson said. “Not only do our hearts go out to our colleagues, we acknowledge that the loss of any trained, professional journalist is a loss to our readers as well: one less voice speaking on behalf of the community we cover. “
According to Nelson, since 2007, the News Sentinel newsroom has lost more than 45 journalists and editors through layoffs and early retirement buyouts. Many of these talented employees had decades of institutional knowledge that’s simply irreplaceable.
“There is no way to overstate the impact of these Gannett-wide cuts on our ability to cover the community with the depth and breadth we expect and that our readers deserve. While those of us still in the newsroom remain committed to cover this region the very best we can with the resources we have left, we have to ask: How many more?”
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