Thread: Murdoch gets his grubby hands on National Geographic

Rupert Murdoch Takes Over National Geographic, Immediately Lays off Hundreds

When news broke that Rupert Murdoch, evil overlord of Fox News, had purchased National Geographic, it sent shockwaves of panic through thinking individuals everywhere. After all, National Geographic has traditionally been one of the most well-known sources of scientific information, and Fox News is where any semblance of scientific knowledge goes to be beaten mercilessly with socks full of pennies before being unceremoniously dumped in a vat full of acid in Bill O’Reilly’s basement for easy disposal.

While National Geographic promised that there would be no editorial “meddling” from 21st Century Fox, Murdoch is already getting involved in other ways — specifically by laying off hundreds of the staff that made the company worth acquiring in the first place.

Staff members — all of them — were ordered into the office on November 3, unless they were traveling for business, on vacation, or otherwise not there by a rather horrific-sounding e-mail from CEO Gary Knell:


“To all NGS Staff:

“After very careful and serious consideration, we are ready to communicate how our restructuring and transformation will affect each employee at National Geographic. To that end, please make every effort to be available tomorrow, November 3rd, either in your regular work location, and/or by phone.

“If you are traveling for business, on vacation or plan to be out for any other reason, please notify Tia Freeman-Evans or Yvonne Perry in HR immediately, so we can make alternative plans to get in touch with you. If you know that someone on your staff will be out of the office on November 3rd, please let Tia or Yvonne know by 3 p.m. (Eastern) today, as well.

“Please watch your inbox for important information about your employment status tomorrow.

“I cannot thank you enough for your patience and hard work over the last few months. I am proud of how our teams and our organization have approached and responded to this transitional period. Looking ahead, I am confident National Geographic’s mission will be fulfilled in powerful, new and impactful ways, as we continue to change the world through science, exploration, education and storytelling.

Gary”

Then, the staff waited, one by one, to be called into Human Resources to learn their fates. “No one knows how many will be axed today,” an unnamed source inside National Geographic told News Photographer magazine Tuesday. “The staff is sitting by their phones, waiting to be called down to HR.” Politico reports that, ultimately, about 180 employees — about 9 percent of the workforce — were subject to “involuntary separation,” while an undetermined number of employees were offered “voluntary separation agreements.”

In a statement, National Geographic shared its side of the story:


The National Geographic Society and the National Geographic Channels are in the process of reorganizing in order to move forward strategically following the closing the NG Partners deal, which is expected to occur in mid-November.

The entities combined have about 2,000 employees, and all staff have been advised as to their status as of closing. Involuntary separations will represent about 9% of the overall workforce reduction, many in shared services and a voluntary separation offer has also been made to eligible employees.

Sherry Brukbacher, a photo editor who had been working in her department since 2008, confirmed she was one of those eliminated by the merger:

Also axed were picture editor Kim Hubbard, 28-year veteran picture editor Nancy Lee Ott, photographer Michael Nichols, and numerous others. “Among those who were the first to be let go on Tuesday morning, according to our source, was also one of the magazine’s top picture editors and one of the magazine’s page designers who – according to several photographers – was ‘the best designer’ on staff, NPPA notes.

“The CEO of National Geographic Society, Greg Knell, tried to claim back in September that there “there won’t be an [editorial] turn in a direction that is different form the National Geographic heritage,” Nathaniel Downes of Reverb Press wrote of the layoffs Tuesday. “Murdoch’s move today only served to prove Knell’s words hollow, with hundreds of talented people now served their pink slips. And with the recognition that Murdoch’s other enterprises do not reflect the standards held by National Geographic, and with Murdoch’s history of changing the editorial direction of purchased properties, today’s move indicates that we can expect a similar shift for National Geographic.”

One must wonder how National Geographic can maintain editorial control when many of those who were “separated” from the company were editors and other decision-makers. Will we soon be seeing headlines like “Global Warming: The Great Scam of the Century” and “Who Needs Polar Bears, Anyway” gracing the once-reputable publication? Only time will tell — but this sudden layoff of a large percentage of the staff does not bode well for any who were holding out hope that the Fox merger would not permanently damage the integrity of National Geographic.

http://anonhq.com/rupert-murdoch-tak...-off-hundreds/

That is some sickening news. Possibly the best magazine in the world, soon to be ruined.

Goes to show money doesn't buy class. Another cashed up un-couth Aaweeesstraaaiiliaan drongo wanker, just like Packer

Going from a non profit organization to a profit making one will require layoffs. $725 million is a big amount to make up. "Editorial content won't change". Bullshit statement by Fox. Shame.

Lost interest when it stopped being an actual society!

People still read mags? 1985 called and they want their audience back

As long as I can still get my free coffee (Moccona) for life - as part of my advertising deal with National Geographic.

Maybe Murdoch needs the extra money to spend on his new squeeze Jerry Hall.

Some of these woman have no shame, I mean she is filthy rich herself but is pissing around with this old turd.

Already turning National Geo into Fox News!

"Several people in the channel’s fact-checking department, for example, were terminated on Tuesday, employees said."

Employees left get the shaft, too.

"In addition to the layoffs and buyouts, the National Geographic Society said it would freeze its pension plan for eligible employees, eliminate medical coverage for future retirees and change its contributions to an employee 401(k) plan so that all employees receive the same percentage contribution."


https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...839_story.html

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Lost interest when it stopped being an actual society!

This. And it is sad to think that science is under attack by this massive right wing oligarchy.

Originally Posted by bsnub

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Lost interest when it stopped being an actual society!

This. And it is sad to think that science is under attack by this massive right wing oligarchy.

What science is that? Bears humping in the woods

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Lost interest when it stopped being an actual society!

Yeah.....probably the 1960s.
NG really hasn't been worthy [except for the award winning photography] as a subjective journal for quite some time - much too political/cultural-centric special interest has taken ruin to a once outstanding periodical.

So...the Murdoch clan couldn't fuck it up any worse.

Originally Posted by misskit

Already turning National Geo into Fox News!

"Several people in the channel’s fact-checking department, for example, were terminated on Tuesday, employees said."

Employees left get the shaft, too.

"In addition to the layoffs and buyouts, the National Geographic Society said it would freeze its pension plan for eligible employees, eliminate medical coverage for future retirees and change its contributions to an employee 401(k) plan so that all employees receive the same percentage contribution."


https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...839_story.html

So they are making things equal and that is shafting? Seems the lefty elite dont believe in equality then

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Lost interest when it stopped being an actual society!

Yeah.....probably the 1960s.
NG really hasn't been worthy [except for the award winning photography] as a subjective journal for quite some time - much too political/cultural-centric special interest has taken ruin to a once outstanding periodical.

So...the Murdoch clan couldn't fuck it up any worse.

Yeah and sacking 9% is fark all. Every company needs to cut dead wood sometimes.

Originally Posted by baconandeggs

So they are making things equal and that is shafting? Seems the lefty elite dont believe in equality then

Who is the lefty elite?

Layoffs, buyouts, freezing pensions and medical coverage makes National Geo employees equal to who?

Never mind. Equal to all the other Americans who have gotten the shaft the last few years.

Sustained me through adolesence

Originally Posted by misskit

Originally Posted by baconandeggs

So they are making things equal and that is shafting? Seems the lefty elite dont believe in equality then

Who is the lefty elite?

Layoffs, buyouts, freezing pensions and medical coverage makes National Geo employees equal to who?

Never mind. Equal to all the other Americans who have gotten the shaft the last few years.

You've never heard of the lefty elite

Oh dear

Originally Posted by Norton

Sustained me through adolesence

True. Naked natives pretty much sums up their contribution to society.

Originally Posted by baconandeggs

You've never heard of the lefty elite

Oh dear

Of course. If you can explain what they have to do with this story, it would clear things up. I'm sure you can.

Originally Posted by misskit

Originally Posted by baconandeggs

You've never heard of the lefty elite

Oh dear

Of course. If you can explain what they have to do with this story, it would clear things up. I'm sure you can.

If you don't understand then you missed the point.