Alabama executive editor eliminates own job rather than lay off staff

Consolidated Publishing executive editor Anthony Cook furloughed his own job rather than making his staff reporters and editors redundant, reports Business Insider.

The effects of the pandemic coupled with the dwindling revenues faced by the company’s flagship newspaper, The Anniston Star, has made matters worse. “We need the newspaper, or as much of it as possible, left in place,” Cook said.

Not only has Cook left his position, he also eliminated the editorial pages of The Anniston Star.

He writes:

“In times of crisis, we have to keep our priorities straight, and, frankly, the news is more important than I am.

“Every newspaper in the country has struggled from how to profit from this new paradigm and coronavirus really took that to another level.

“My job is to set the vision for the overall editorial department. But I don’t cover crime, I don’t cover education, I don’t cover local government. And we need people doing those things.”