I feel for the journalists at the dozen papers that McClatchy is buying from Knight Ridder but says it would like to dispose of.
It just means uncertainty on top of what they've already been through and makes them feel like damaged goods.
I have been hearing today from some of those people. They're looking for advice, hoping for support.
I would say this:
Bank on yourselves. Editors distinguish between individual performance and company performance. No one holds an individual journalist accountable for the fortunes of its company, even in a case like this, where the new owners are assailing financial results.
People who are unable to move from the cities where their newspapers are and who are unwilling to try other fields may have some hard decisions or some hard realities in front of them. Those who have flexibility have options.
All we can do is our best work. Good journalism is the best way to exert some control, preserve our dignity and carve a path to the future.
