Rappleye Leaves WJAR, Projo Loses Another Reporter, and a Boston Newspaper Closes
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
More changes are hitting Rhode Island's media companies in 2020.
Longtime political reporter Bill Rappleye is leaving WJAR 10 — the local Sinclair Broadcasting station.
Rappleye joins news reporter Tony Gugliotta, weatherman Zach Green and long-time morning host Frank Coletta in exiting the station in the past year.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSinclair owns 191 television stations in 89 markets, but may be best known for its longstanding conservative leanings, pushing a pro-President Donald Trump agenda.
And Rappleye might be best remembered for his battle with then-Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
“You’re a public official and we’d like to know if you were interviewed on the 38 Studios question,” Rappleye said to Kilmartin during an unrelated news conference at the Attorney General’s office.
But Rappleye’s question was never answered.
“Bill, you’re in my house now and we have a lot of professionals who took time out of their day to be here and we’re going to start now,” Kilmartin said.
Rappleye will be joining RI public broadcasting.
Projo Loses Another Reporter
The Providence Journal has lost yet another news reporter. On Friday, Kevin Gomes Andrade tweeted, “As of today I am no longer working at the Providence Journal.”
“I wish @projo the best of luck and that it continues to serve the people of R.I. I am excited to explore the digital and audio side of journalism at @wgbhnews and look forward to working alongside my new colleagues,” he then tweeted.
The number of Providence Journal reporters is now between 10-15, the newspaper no longer responds questions about its staffing since its parent company merged with Gannett.
The Providence Journal's parent company -- Gannett -- has begun massive layoffs across the country.
Layoff tracking websites have the layoff count for Gannett across the country at 400 since the November merger. The biggest hit to date has been at the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio. Gannett announced 188 would lose their jobs as the company is consolidating printing facilities in the region.
The company needs to cut $300 to $400 million in costs according to the company and reports. "With $400 million or more in cost reductions to deliver, it was clear that the company would be cutting more than 2,500 jobs — likely 3,500 or more. Reports also indicate that much of Old Gannett leadership in high-ranking sales position was surprised to get the quick axe this week," wrote Ken Doctor, a leading media analyst, in December.
One of Boston's Largest Newspapers In Closing
Metro Boston -- the free paper -- announced last week that it was closing after 20 years. Last Wednesday was its final day.
"After 19 years in Boston, we are sad to announce the closure of Metro Boston, effective today," said the notice. "We realize this may seem sudden, but after our New York and Philadelphia editions were sold, we no longer have access to centralized resources, and a difficult decision had to be made."
According to the Boston Business Journal, Metro Boston had a circulation of 300,000 in 2005, but had dropped to 50,000 or less.
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