Beacon Journal Managing Editor Mike Burbach took center stage again Wednesday to explain why the newspaper is skimpier. Well, it wasn’t exactly center stage. His remarks were printed on Page A2 because the regular Commentary Page was missing. Here’s the message.
Newspaper looks different
Answers to questions about recent changes
Q: Some pages that we're used to seeing the Beacon Journal are missing this week. What's going on?
A: Most newspaper revenue comes from advertising. When the local economy slows down, there's less advertising. Less advertising means a smaller paper. That's been the case this year in Akron This year is almost over.
Q: So the "tighter" paper is the function of a tight budget?
A: Yes.
Q: Is the Beacon Journal losing money?
A: No. The Beacon is a profitable, strong business. We've hit a few bumps this year, and we'll get over them.
Q: If you have to cut expenses, why cut pages and not some other expense?
A: We have cut others, mostly in ways that are invisible to our customers. But a newspaper really has two big categones of expense: Paper and people. We opted to save on paper.
Q: Is the Beacon journal going to be thinner permanehtly?
A: No. The Commentary page, which includes opinion columnists and usually appears on Page B2, will return next week. So will the features sections, such as Health and Food, which have been inside Local sections this week.
Q: Are there more changes coming in the future?
A: Yes. The news and advertising world has become much more competitive, and newspapers have to adapt.
- Mike Burbach managing editor
On another front (actually B13): Movie reviewer George Thomas says “Watching Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is the equivalent of being locked in a car with three squabbling kids under 10 on a cross-country trip." Son Matthew, however, says it is “an outrageously funny movie” and believes it is “perfect for families.”
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