Changes at PD discussed with staff

The management and staff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer met Monday to discuss possible major changes in the newspaper, including layoffs and reducing the size of the actual paper itself, according to a report on Channedl 3 WEWS-TV

"The media is not immune to the downturn in the economy," Plain Dealer Publisher Terry C.Z. Egger told Channel 3 News Tuesday, "and we are not either. It's tougher than we thought."

Although Egger says talk of layoffs is premature, Plain Dealer staffers say the possiblity was raised during the Monday meeting.

Any major changes need the approval of the PD's parent company. The process could take several weeks.

The mood at the meeting was described by one Plain Dealer staff member as "gloomy," as management held a frank discussion of the severe financial pressures the newspaper is facing.

"We need to be thoughtful about our decisions," said Terry Egger. "Our most important mission is to serve our community and to do that we have to be viable."

Other options reportedly being considered are cutting the number of weekly pages in the Plain Dealer by as many as 35, eliminating or downsizing certain sections of the paper and increasing the price of the newspaper.