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Staffers at the Detroit News face cutbacks

Jon S
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creative commons http://j.mp/1SPGCl0

Employees at one of Detroit's two major newspapers have a very big decision to make.

The Detroit News has offered buy-outs to its entire editorial staff.

That includes reporters, photographers, columnists and anyone else who works in the newsroom, regardless of seniority.

If there aren't enough buyout volunteers and the paper can't meet its budget for the coming year, layoffs will probably be next.

Michigan State University journalism professor Sue Carter says these kind of cutbacks aren't surprising, but they are discouraging, especially in a time when skilled reporters are needed more than ever.

"If anything, this recent election taught us that there weren't enough people thinking and listening and understanding what the general population wanted," Carter said.

Staffers have a week to decide whether to take the buyout offer.

Rebecca Kruth is the host of All Things Considered at Michigan Public. She also co-hosts Michigan Public's weekly language podcast That’s What They Say with English professor Anne Curzan.
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