The penny pinching continues at the New York Times with the elimination of newspaper subscriptions at the metro desk.

From the New York Observer

The metro desk at the Times was informed today that all magazine and newspaper subscriptions have been canceled. If reporters want to check out the competition in the Post or the News, they can buy their own copies. The reason is obviously to save money, and the Times claims it can put the saved money toward freelancers.

Here’s the memo sent to the metro staff by metro administrative manager Gloria Bell, (Take a look how quick-to-the-point this note is; these days, explanations for these sort of cuts are pretty unnecessary).

Folks,

You all know how tight budgets have become. They are getting tighter. Because of that we have decided to cut all subscriptions to newspapers and magazines that come in from the news dealer. If you wish to read any of the tabloids or out of town papers, either purchase your own or share with co-workers who purchase them to read on their way to work.

Please note, too, that any subscriptions you have regularly purchased and expensed may not be reimbursed anymore. Please check with me before you pay for anything. Most periodicals, including the tabloids and other daily newspapers, are available online through Ebsco masterfile which you can get to through the Research Dept’s web page.

Sorry about this but the money we spent on these papers can be put to better use like paying freelancers. As always, thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

Later, a follow-up note was sent out, with the subject line, “Good Suggestion.”

Please put any newspapers or magazines that you care to contribute to our “share and share alike” system, on the cabinet tops that used to house the Metro stacks. Thanks.

 

That makes me wonder about the subscriptions we have in our office.  The cost of seven day a week home delivery of the Times is now over $700 a year which is a 50% increase from a year ago.  The Washington Post runs about $500 per year.  Compare that to the Washington Times which must be even more desperate for readers than any paper in America because we are paying just $15 per year.

The future for the printed page isn’t very bright and with a major newspaper like the Times cutting back on office subs it is a little bleaker.

Post #2397

 

 

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