Boston Globe Cuts 13% of Newsroom Staff

As more and more Americans decide they would rather get their news without staining their fingers, The Boston Globe will fire 50 journalism professionals, or 13% of staff, from its newsroom.

The Globe, which is owned by the New York Times, will eliminate jobs through voluntary buyout packages offered to all full-time staff members in editorial operations. The process will begin next week.

The Times’ New England division has 2,656 employees, compared to 3,950 at the end of 2000.

The group’s revenue, estimated to be around $520 million last year, has fallen 25% since 2004. Advertising revenue, which makes up about two-thirds of the group’s total revenue, has fallen by more than 30%.

Last year the Globe told its unions that it was losing roughly $1 million a week, which should make Charles Foster Kane jealous.

The Globe’s average circulation has dropped 29%.