The Los Angeles Times Is Burning

(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Up until a year or two ago, I didn't believe I'd see the death of newspapers in my lifetime. People have been forecasting the death of print for decades, yet the idea of a major metropolis without a daily newspaper? Impossible.

But then the business went to Zell -- er, hell. The impact of the web was even more devastating than most predicted. And here in Los Angeles, the foolish way in which Sam Zell took control of Tribune is now rapidly killing the paper faster than any of Otis Chandler's race cars.

Now, 150 people have been given pink slips at the L.A. Times. And to save money,Tribune keeps killing features and sections in the L.A. Times at the very same moment so-called Tribune "innovation chief" Lee Abrams is asking employees, Hey, why don't the papers offer up those kind of features?

Check out this winning entry from Abrams' latest blog post:

CONCERT AND EVENT REVIEWS? If you want to see a movie or check out a restaurant, we have reviews. Helpful tools for a decision as the movie and restaurant will be around for awhile... But with concerts, it's usually a one day affair and we look BACKWARDS. That's fine, but the emphasis needs to be on PREview. Giving readers tools to decide if they should see the show. A review is after the fact...and I'm not sure if anyone really cares besides those hoping it'll drive their sales. We can be THE concert source by providing information BEFORE the show...to, like a movie, help people decide if they should go. This will make your music reporting MORE relevant and usable. All people usually get is what's in the ad, or cursory information and after the fact reviews. We have the opportunity to dive into the show and what to expect. A tool for a go/no go decision.

Memo to Lee: It was called The Guide. And you guys just killed that weekly Thursday section, along with a bunch of other sections and features.

Many of the other unique non-news sections that might still draw in younger readers -- and readers who are looking to supplement their Internet reading with the printed word -- have also been killed, or on the chopping block. Good thing the innovation chief is busy making sure the papers print more logos and bigger maps.


In 1910, the Los Angeles Times was blown up. Now, it's happening again.