Standard's McDermott Says No Layoffs of Tegna Journalists Planned

Standard Media CEO Deb McDermott told Tegna employees the company doesn't plan to lay off journalists from Tegna stations after they're acquired by Standard, according to a Thursday email from McDermott to Tegna staff obtained by Communications Daily. Standard and McDermott “have never had the intention of reducing news or news staff at TEGNA stations,” the email said. Standard’s recent response to the FCC makes similar statements (see 2206140068) but also says in a footnote the company could seek to eliminate some corporate positions. “In light of Standard General’s focus on shifting more management authority and responsibility from TEGNA corporate headquarters to TEGNA’s local stations, staffing reductions at TEGNA corporate headquarters are expected,” the response said. McDermott’s email also touts the company’s record of increasing newsroom staff and investing in stations. “We expect to compete vigorously in all markets, which will require continued investment in local journalism and newsgathering operations,” the email said. If Standard truly plans not to reduce newsroom staff, it should consent to an FCC merger condition that says so and includes a monetary penalty for violations, said Jon Schleuss, president of the Newsguild sector of the Communications Workers of America, which represents journalists and has vocally opposed Standard/Tegna. The language in McDermott's letter focuses on the company's intentions rather than an outright statement that workers won't be laid off, he said in an interview.