“Today is kind of a sucky day,” owner Peter Barbey told his employees in a conference call, according to Alexandria Neason of the Columbia Journalism Review. Many saw it coming and had been dreading the all but inevitable for the past few years now, but Friday’s announcement that the Village Voice would cease editorial production still comes as a shock. You lost her a long time ago.' Today she died.Detail from the cover of the November 20–26, 2013, issue, featuring a profile of Spike Lee Michael Musto said something great to me: 'It's like when your mother has Alzheimer's. It's a bad day to be a Village Voice reader. Losing Musto is a shame, losing Sietsema is a crime. There is no Village Voice without mikeymusto. romenesko Village Voice reportedly has fired veteran columnist Michael Musto. Translated: There is no more Village Voice. The real end of the 'era', Michael Musto let go from the Village Voice! Michael Musto was the only reason I read the Voice. Just rip the band aid off, it'll save everyone a lot of heartache /bloodbath-day-… Re Village Voice: The drawn-out death is wrenching. VMG will support the editorial staff throughout this process, and believes these changes will allow the Village Voice to grow and to continue its commitment to progressive journalism. We hope to make an announcement about that hire shortly. However, the Voice is actively soliciting new freelance writers interested in reporting on New York’s dynamic dining culture.Īdditionally, management is looking to hire a new, full-time staff writer to join the Voice’s exceptional reporting team. As part of that restructuring, freelance food writer Robert Sietsema will no longer serve as a regular weekly contributor. Writer/editor Laura Shunk has joined the team as a part-time staff writer tasked with overseeing an expansion and reinvigoration of the Voice’s food and restaurant coverage, both on the blog and in print. We’re also pleased to announce that two new positions have been added to the Voice writing staff, which already includes 2013 James Beard Award winner Tejal Rao, along with recently hired principal film writer Stephanie Zacharek and staff writer Sydney Brownstone. Feingold, named a Pulitzer finalist for criticism in 2009, has been invited to continue his association with the Voice by serving as chairman of the annual Obie Awards. Voice Media Group recognizes their many achievements and honors over the years, and thanks them for their loyalty, their professionalism, and the iconic role they have played in establishing the Voice as a cultural touchstone in New York City. This restructuring will allow the Voice to continue offering superior content and products to its New York audience – specifically film, music, restaurant, and breaking news easily accessible across both print and digital platforms – while also ensuring the sustainability of the publication.Īs of next week, veteran gossip columnist Michael Musto and longtime theater critic Michael Feingold will no longer be staffers at the Voice. The net effect of these changes will be to slightly reduce the number of editorial employees at the publication-by less than one full-time position-and better align the Voice with the long-term business and editorial goals of the company. Voice Media Group is making staffing changes at the Village Voice.

UPDATE: A representative for Voice Media Group just sent along the following press release on today's 'restructuring' at the Voice: I'll update you on all my new beginnings. He told Gawker: 'So many people have come out to offer their love (and opportunities). Musto, who has been with the Voice since 1984, remains one of New York's best-known gossip columnists. I managed to get Musto on the phone for a hot second, but he asked to call me back. Their exits come just one week after the Voice's newest editor in chief, Will Bourne, walked out after less than six months on the job over demands from management for further cuts to the weekly's already skeletal staff.

Village returns its village voicey