McClatchy

McClatchy has announced that it is closing seven newsrooms across its network of newspapers. Poynter reports that employees in McClatchy newsrooms in Miami; Charlotte; Washington, D.C.; Columbia, SC; and Modesto, Merced and San Luis Obispo, CA will be expected to continue to work from home until sometime in 2021. A statement from the company said that it will exit its leases in those locations and “focus our resources where it matters: on saving jobs and delivering on our mission of producing strong, independent local journalism for the communities that we serve.” The company says it plans to look for new offices next year, but that those newsrooms could be much smaller if its news outlets are successful at publishing remotely.

Matt Duckor
Matt Duckor

Condé Nast Entertainment has fired Matt Duckor, the head of programming for its style and lifestyle division, following charges of racial bias. Duckor was accused of not featuring people of color in Bon Appétit Test Kitchen videos and either underpaying them or not paying them at all when they did appear. Condé Nast denied that non-white employees are not paid for video appearances. In addition, Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport stepped down on June 8, after the appearance of a photo of him and his wife on Instagram in which they were dressed in costumes meant to be Puerto Rican. The problems at the company seem to extend all the way to the top, as evidenced by an apology from Vogue editor-in-chief and Condé Nast artistic director Anna Wintour for such “mistakes” as not “finding ways to give space to black editors, writers, photographers, designers” and publishing “hurtful and intolerant” images. “We’ve already started the process of reviewing our practices and over the next week we’ll be bringing forward a plan of action centered on diversity and inclusion,” said Condé Nast Entertainment president Oren Katzeff.

Samira Nasr
Samira Nasr

Hearst Magazines has named Samira Nasr editor-in-chief of the U.S. edition of Harper's BAZAAR. Nasr, the first black editor-in-chief in the history of the 153-year-old publication, was most recently executive fashion director at Vanity Fair. She was previously fashion director at ELLE and style director for InStyle. Nasr has also styled campaigns for such fashion and beauty brands as Laura Mercier, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and Clarins. In her new post, she will oversee content strategy and development across the brand’s print and digital platforms. “Samira’s important voice will continue to evolve the brand’s distinct position as a style touchstone for fashion’s most discerning,” said Hearst Magazines president Troy Young.