At least four veteran writers and reporters for the Hartford Courant have decided to take the latest buyout offer aimed at reducing costs.
Sources tell us veteran columnist Jim Shea, consumer writer Kevin Hunt and long time arts writer Frank Rizzo have all decided to leave the paper, accept the terms of a buyout deal, and begin the search for new opportunities.
One of the biggest blows however comes with the decision by MaryEllen Fillo to take the deal.
Fillo’s Java column is consistently one of the paper’s most read and serves as an important barometer of what’s happening at the intersection of politics, culture, philanthropy and business in Connecticut
Everyone understands that print newspapers are in decline and personnel cost reductions are inevitable, but the loss of these four – and others – certainly diminishes the value of the Courant as a local institution. Yes, the bottom line is being reduced, but so is the quality of the product.
We wish everyone the best of luck.
Developing…
