• by Ray Schultz , October 13, 2022

Despite some job losses, layoffs fell at large newspapers and digital news sites in 2021 compared to the prior year, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center. 

In 2021, 11% of high-circulation newspapers -- those with average Sunday circulation of 50,000+ -- experienced layoffs, down from 33% in 2020 and 32% in 2017. 

This is the lowest figure since Pew began tracking layoffs in 2017.

In addition, only 3% of digital native news sites -- those with a monthly average of at 10 million unique visitors -- saw job falloffs, versus 18% in 2020. 

One possible reason is the growth of the U.S. economy in 2021. In addition, “Widespread staff cuts in 2020 also may have left some newsrooms with less room to cut in 2021,” Pew writes, 

Pew notes that in August, Gannett laid off roughly 3% of its newsroom workforce, affecting around 400 staffers.

Sinclair Broadcasting Group laid off more than 400 people in March 2021, Pew adds.