United States: Journalists of Color Disproportionately Affected by Major Media Layoffs
The Arena Group and the Los Angeles Times announce mass layoffs following major cuts at Pitchfork
Location: United States, New York/California
Date: January 23, 2024
Recent announcements by The Arena Group and the Los Angeles Times of significant layoffs carry deep implications for the fabric of our media, particularly for the representation and voices of journalists of color. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is particularly concerned about the disproportionate impact these layoffs have on minority journalists. The dissolution of 'De Los,' a vertical that serves Los Angeles's large Latino community, is a step backward in our ongoing struggle for diversity and representation in journalism. It contradicts the commitments these organizations have previously made towards diversifying their ranks. These layoffs are part of an escalating trend. In 2023, we witnessed the highest number of media layoffs ever documented, exceeding 17,000. We cannot overlook the implications these layoffs have on the gender dynamics within newsrooms, especially for women journalists of color. The loss of their voices in media translates to a direct loss of diverse narratives and perspectives that are essential for a balanced and comprehensive understanding of our world. We call upon the leaders of these media organizations to reconsider the long-term implications of their decisions. We urge them to find sustainable solutions that do not compromise the diversity and quality of journalism. It is essential to recognize the indispensable role of journalists, particularly those from marginalized communities, in shaping an informed and inclusive public discourse.
The Los Angeles Times announced on January 23 that it would be dismissing at least 115 employees, which constitutes over 20% of its newsroom staff. This represents one of the most substantial workforce reductions in the 142-year history of the publication.
This drastic cut, accounting for nearly a quarter of its newsroom staff, has raised serious concerns about diversity in media, particularly as it disproportionately impacts journalists of color.
The Los Angeles Times Guild expressed deep disappointment, pointing out that the company's decision contradicted its previous commitments to diversify its ranks. "Young journalists of color have been hit hardest," the Guild stated, highlighting that the Black, AAPI, and Latino Caucuses within the organization have faced "devastating losses.
“Young journalists of color have been hit hardest”
The layoffs have particularly gutted 'De Los,' a vertical launched in 2023 dedicated to covering Los Angeles’s substantial Latino population, which makes up nearly half of the city's demographic. Jeong Park, a journalist brought on board in 2022 to cover Asian American communities, is among those laid off.
Authentic Brands Group has ended its licensing agreement with The Arena Group, thereby concluding their collaboration in publishing Sports Illustrated. Despite this, the company maintains its dedication to the ongoing publication of the magazine. The termination was triggered by the non-payment of the quarterly license fee, even after a breach notice was issued and an opportunity to rectify the situation was provided.
This development jeopardizes the employment of the 82 Sports Illustrated employees who are represented by the union.
The job cuts at Sports Illustrated occurred just a day after The Arena Group announced a "significant reduction" in its 100-strong workforce, attributing this to "substantial debt" and missed payments. The company recently failed to make a $2.8 million payment to Authentic.
These layoffs at both Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times are indicative of a wider trend in the news industry, which has been grappling with challenges in recent years as an increasing number of consumers resort to social media platforms for entertainment and news. Other prominent news outlets, including NBC News, ABC News, CNN, the Washington Post, Condé Nast, and Buzzfeed News, have also been compelled to dismiss staff members over the past year.
As these emblematic publications steer through these turbulent times, the future of Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times remains uncertain. Once considered the zenith of sports and news journalism, they now confront an unpredictable future.
CFWIJ and WPF are diligently observing and documenting the escalating trend of large-scale layoffs impacting newsrooms across the United States.
On January 17, 2024, Condé Nast announced through a memo to Pitchfork staff that the online music magazine would be consolidated with GQ, its men's magazine. This decision led to substantial layoffs, including the exit of editor-in-chief Puja Patel and the features editor Jill Mapes, heightening uncertainties about Pitchfork's future.
On January 10, Houston Landing abruptly terminated its editor-in-chief, Mizanur Rahman, and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, Alex Stuckey.
On August 23, 2023, the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization based in Austin, Texas, decided to lay off its entire copy desk. These layoffs were unprecedented, marking the first time in the organization's 14-year history that such drastic measures were implemented.
Sports Illustrated and the LA Times, along with Pitchfork, Houston Landing and the Texas Tribune, are part of an expanding list of media organizations affected by significant layoffs. In a distressing trend, 2023 saw the highest number of media layoffs ever documented, exceeding a staggering 17,000.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom unequivocally stands in solidarity with the affected journalists at Sports Illustrated and the LA Times. We vehemently denounce their abrupt dismissal. Media layoffs have extensive repercussions, leading to job losses and unemployment that adversely affect journalists and their families. These layoffs also contribute to a deterioration in the quality of journalism and media content, as seasoned and knowledgeable employees are dismissed. This subsequently results in a loss of diverse viewpoints and a decrease in investigative reporting. Amid these challenging times for the media industry, it is of paramount importance to uphold and defend the tenets of free and independent journalism. We demand that Sports Illustrated and the LA Times act transparently and take appropriate responsibility for their actions.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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