Gannett has mandated layoffs across its newspaper empire. Pensacola News Journal employees aren’t escaping the ax. Managing Editor Ginny Graybiel and Columnist Shannon Nickinson were notified yesterday their services will no longer be needed.
Over the next few days, we may get a more complete list of the terminations. We are hearing that there will be the termination of one more major employee today.
Gannett nationally has had more than 350 layoffs and open positions cut across at least 57 of about 80 U.S. newspaper sites, according to Gannett Blog reader estimates.
Today Gannett blog posted this from a reader about the Pensacola layoffs and Graybiel:
“Heart and soul Managing Editor Ginny Graybiel is sacked in so-called layoff,” they wrote. “With 37 years at the PNJ, Graybiel’s leadership bringing the powerbrokers and arrogant burghermeisters in this unbelievably corrupt town and county to heel has been legendary and an inspiration to a small but dedicated staff.
“A tireless editor who logged 80 hours a week shepherding a dismantled Gannett property to greatness week to week with ideas, great editing and lots of bloody verve, she’s rewarded with a lame sacking.”