The cutbacks and restructuring at media group Northcliffe have been felt at the Lichfield Mercury where editor Tim Hewitt has left his post after 21 years with the paper.
He is one of three editors to go at Central Independent Newspapers – an arm of Northcliffe – and has written a poignant letter to readers in his final edition.
In the letter he writes:
“Following my departure, I hope and trust that you will continue to support and show the same thoughtfulness and esteem for the small number of remaining Mercury staff who will in turn continue to show professionalism, enthusiasm and compassion in endeavouring to do the job they do best.”
And support is exactly what the Mercury will need in spades if it is to survive this latest tightening of belts in the media industry.
You only have to look at the virtual inactivity on the Mercury’s website apart from on a Thursday and Friday when they’ve gone to print to see that things aren’t as they should be at a modern media business.
It’s not the fault of the team at the Mercury who, like most small newspaper teams, are a dedicated bunch who work their socks off for little reward. But due to the reduction in soldiers on the ground and the lack of modern, long-term thinking from on high it means they will always be fighting an uphill battle.
And unfortunately, when these battles aren’t won, it’s the indians and not the chiefs who pay for it.
