Riverfront Times Layoffs: US-Based Newspaper Reportedly Lays Off Its Editorial Staff After Being Sold to New Owner, Affected Employee Shares Her Experience

St. Louis, May 23: Riverfront Times (RFT), a US-based newspaper founded in 1977, has reportedly been sold to new owners and laid off staff members. The report did not mention the numbers of people affected by the Riverfront Times layoffs. According to a report, RFT's editorial staff have been laid off, according to newspaper's top editor. The Riverfront Times's buyer has not retained the current editorial staff members. 

According to a report by Bizjournals, Chris Keating, CEO of Big Lou Media, who sold Riverfront Times, did not respond to the questions nor disclose the buyer's identity. However, the report highlighted that Sarah Fenske, RFT's editor, said she was heartsick about Riverfront Times layoffs affecting good writers, editors, and photographers. She said these staff members made the publication a "must-read" for many years. Telstra Layoffs: Australia’s Telecommunication Giant To Lay Off 2,800 People To Cut Costs, Deal With Inflation.

Sarah Fenske further told, "We fought the good fight, and what else can you say? The journalists here did terrific work day and day out. I hope someone will hire them". She added that somehow they would continue in the 47th-year Riverfront Times tradition of "printing the truth and raising hell". She said that Big Lou Media had been trying to find a home for two Riverfront Times sales team members, but it might not be possible. 

The report mentioned that Riverfront Times was founded in 1998 by Ray Hartmann and Mark Vittert in 1977. 47 years ago. Bigjournals said that the founders now sold the newspaper to New Times Media, later Voice Media. RFT and other newspaper companies reportedly struggled since then due to the rise of news published online and the decrease in advertising dollars. It said the newspaper ceased publication when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. Thierry Delaporte, Former Wipro CEO and MD, Becomes Highest-Paid Exec in Indian IT Industry for FY24, Earns More Than Rs 165 Crore. 

Kallie Cox, who worked at Riverfront Times, posted on X confirming that she was affected by the RFT layoffs. She said, "I was laid off today along with the entirety of the Riverfront Times staff. Kallie Cox also said, "RFT is officially dead". She emphasised it was an honour for her to work with her colleagues and said it was the best paper she had ever had the pleasure of working with.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2024 03:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).