I got a tip late Tuesday that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the state’s dominant medium, may not be immune to what’s currently ailing daily newspapers nationwide. Some indication of that had already been seen in new D-G publications to create new revenue streams. Last year, it was their free faux alt weekly. This year it’s Arkansas Life, a slick monthly magazine aiming to take some of Soiree’s business. It will be mailed free to rich folks (po’ folks will be able to buy it).
Anyway, the story is that a memo circulated at the newspaper Tuesday about rising newsprint costs, the increased costs of gas for carriers and the short-term necessity to adjust through a temporary wage and hiring freeze to be re-evaluated Jan. 1. Sounds plausible, but I can’t attest to the tip’s accuracy at this moment. Anybody have a copy of the memo?
UPDATE: Ask and you shall be given. The memo from D-G president Paul Smith is on the jump.
Also, Arkansas Business followed up our report with an interview with Smith.