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Tag: Chicago Sun-Times

  • Chicago Sun-Times Lays Off Its Entire Photography Staff

    In yet another sign of the effect the internet has had on physical newspapers, the Chicago Sun-Times this week announced that it has laid off all of its staff photographers.

    The newspaper released a statement on the move, saying that its audience is “seeking more video content with their news.” The statement, in full:

    The Sun-Times business is changing rapidly and our audiences are consistently seeking more video content with their news. We have made great progress in meeting this demand and are focused on bolstering our reporting capabilities with video and other multimedia elements. The Chicago Sun-Times continues to evolve with our digitally savvy customers, and as a result, we have had to restructure the way we manage multimedia, including photography, across the network.

    According to a Chicago Tribune report, the Sun-Times’ financial situation also heavily contributed to the layoffs. The Tribune cited an unnamed “knowledgeable source” as saying the Sun-Times is not currently profitable due to several recent failed initiatives, such as the short-lived online video segment The Marin Report.

    The Chicago Newspaper Guild, the union that represents many of the laid-off photographers, has stated that it will fight the layoffs. Guild President David Pollard called the move “shocking and disheartning.”

    “The photojournalists that have contributed to this company over the years have been invaluable and it is appalling that the Sun-Times has made such a move that will impact the quality of photojournalism the newspaper produces,” said Pollard.

  • Roger Ebert: Cancer Returns as Reviewer Takes a “Leave of Presence”

    Roger Ebert, perhaps the most well-known film reviewer in history, has announced that he will be taking “a leave of presence.” Though Ebert stressed that this does not mean he will quit writing for good, it does mean that his output will slow significantly.

    Ebert made the announcement in a post to his Chicago Sun-Times blog. The reason for his leave was also revealed in the post – his cancer has returned. He is currently being treated with radiation therapy. Ebert was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002, and lost his ability to speak after complications from surgery in 2006.

    Ebert used his post to thank his colleagues and everyone who has helped him in his 46-year career. He has stated that he will now leave most of the reviewing work to his hand-picked reviewer colleagues. Ebert expressed excitement that he will be reviewing only the movies he wants to. He may also begin writing about his health troubles. From the post:

    At this point in my life, in addition to writing about movies, I may write about what it’s like to cope with health challenges and the limitations they can force upon you. It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.

    Ebert’s film review website, rogerebert.com, is being re-launched with a new design the writer states is “highly interactive and searchable.”