A Gannett job cut casualty: Award winner Rowland leaves Columbus Dispatch after 31 years

In the face of draconian layoffs at Gannett in the face of readership loss, award-winning senior reporter/editor Darrel Rowland has been dismissed from the Columbus Dispatch. Rowland tweets:

“My 31-year Columbus Dispatch career ended abruptly Friday w/elimination of my job. Tremendously grateful for so many amazing colleagues & sources over the years. Got some severance/health care, so I’m a lot better off than many. Waiting to see what God has next…”

He was also a public affairs editor, Statehouse reporter and projects reporter at the Dispatch. Previously, he was a metro/special projects editor at The Warren Chronicle Tribune in Ohio.

Talking Biz News reported earlier this week on the job cuts throughout the Gannett chain, a result of dismal second quarter results. According to Poynter, Gannett laid off more than 50 journalists. Rowland’s layoff, along with several other prominent dismissals, offers evidence that the cuts aren’t coming at the expense of inexperienced, unproven reporters.

Despite its reported losses, Gannett continues to make what it calls “considerable progress” its digital news operation. Its Q2 digital revenue was up 1.5% year-over-year, making up 35% of total revenue of $748.7 million.

Rowland served as city/special projects editor at The Mansfield News Journal in Ohio. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University. Reach out to him via his LinkedIn page.