California newsrooms decimated in ‘the bloodiest round of layoffs’ as media giants culls 40% of staff

Several California newsrooms have been decimated in a brutal round of layoffs.

McClatchy, the media giant behind The Miami Herald and The Sacramento Bee, announced the severe cuts Thursday, with some newsrooms losing as much as 40% of their staff.

More than 90 journalists nationwide were affected, according to estimates from unions representing workers at various McClatchy-owned papers.

Several California newsrooms have been decimated in a brutal round of layoffs. Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Sacramento Bee lost at least 10 journalists, while The Fresno Bee cut seven reporters.

At least 13 McClatchy newspapers across eight states were hit, with reporters, photographers and videographers among those shown the door.

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The cuts are expected to affect coverage of government, education, accountability and sports.

“This is definitely the bloodiest round of layoffs in quite some time at McClatchy,” said Ariane Lange, an investigative reporter at The Sacramento Bee and vice chair of the newsroom’s union.

A man looks at a Sacramento Bee newspaper rack on Friday, March 10, 2006, in Sacramento, California. McClatchy Company, the publisher of the Sacramento Bee, is reportedly leading the bidding for the Knight Ridder newspaper chain. Getty Images

“We’re still trying to figure out the exact numbers across the company and in our newsroom, but it’s a significant portion of reporters companywide.”

McClatchy is owned by private investment firm Chatham Asset Management.