Independent on Sunday editor Lisa Markwell explains her decision to cut critics at the paper
Dear Norman Lebrecht
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give a full context to the arts cuts.
You will be aware of the difficult economic state of all of Britain’s newspapers, and the Independent titles in particular. It has been reported that the management team of the titles is engaged in a broad-ranging sweep of cost-cutting exercises, and this includes a number of compulsory redundancies.
Many of these are staff members of the papers who have been with titles up to (in a couple of cases) 20 years. Some are younger journalists of terrific talent. It is distressing for those leaving and worrying for those left to try and bring out papers of quality and distinction without them.
Another facet of the cuts is to drive down contributor costs – this is where the arts critics come in.
There is no question that the critics who have given loyal service to The Independent on Sunday for years are brilliant. When I took over editing the paper a few months ago, it was a delight to read them – and I know my predecessor felt the same, protecting them as much as possible in earlier cost-cutting exercises.
Dear Norman Lebrecht
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give a full context to the arts cuts.
You will be aware of the difficult economic state of all of Britain’s newspapers, and the Independent titles in particular. It has been reported that the management team of the titles is engaged in a broad-ranging sweep of cost-cutting exercises, and this includes a number of compulsory redundancies.
Many of these are staff members of the papers who have been with titles up to (in a couple of cases) 20 years. Some are younger journalists of terrific talent. It is distressing for those leaving and worrying for those left to try and bring out papers of quality and distinction without them.
Another facet of the cuts is to drive down contributor costs – this is where the arts critics come in.
There is no question that the critics who have given loyal service to The Independent on Sunday for years are brilliant. When I took over editing the paper a few months ago, it was a delight to read them – and I know my predecessor felt the same, protecting them as much as possible in earlier cost-cutting exercises.