Once upon a time, blacksmiths were everywhere. Then came the automobile, and just like that, the need for horseshoes dropped like a rock.
Blacksmithing didn’t vanish overnight – but it sure wasn’t the same.
That’s what’s happening now with old-school media, especially big corporate outlets like Gannett, the parent company of USA Today.
On the chopping block? Hundreds of newsroom jobs.
The tool changing the game this time? Artificial Intelligence.
Today is decision day for Gannett employees. The company gave them until 5 PM Pacific to take a buyout deal and walk away.
Those who accept will stay on through September 5. After that, they’re out.
It’s not just about cutting costs. Gannett, which also owns the Reno Gazette-Journal, is sitting on $1.23 billion in debt from its 2019 merger with GateHouse Media.
In 2022, they laid off over 600 people. This year, the squeeze got even tighter.
CEO Mike Reed has been steering the ship since 2006. He says the company is using AI to improve efficiency, but not fully replace human writers.
Yet.
“We are committed to responsible AI use,” Gannett said last year.
That sounds nice. But in reality, AI is already writing basic stories, crunching data, and summarizing press releases. And it’s only getting better.
The Media’s Long, Slow Slide
This shift didn’t come out of nowhere. Traditional media has been losing trust for years, especially among conservatives.
Remember the “Russian collusion” story that ran wall-to-wall for years?
Or how stories like Hunter Biden’s laptop were labeled misinformation before quietly being confirmed later?
Even longtime newsroom insiders admit it. NPR’s own public editor admitted the staff leans overwhelmingly left.
And as more people caught on, more turned away.
Advertising dollars followed.
Why pay top dollar for a print ad in a fading newspaper when you can reach more eyeballs online?
Social Media: The New Newsstand
While the big boys were slow to adapt, social media exploded.
Sure, it’s messy. But platforms like X and Substack are now where many Americans – especially conservatives – go to get their news.
Think about it.
Would the mainstream press have covered the protests at school board meetings if not for viral clips online?
Would we know half of what we do about election integrity, border chaos, or government censorship if regular folks hadn’t filmed it and posted it?
In short, the “gatekeepers” aren’t keeping the gate anymore.
What AI Means for All of Us
AI isn’t going away. Like the Model T, it’s here to stay and it’s going to replace some jobs.
Not just reporters, but also researchers, data crunchers, and editors.
But here’s the thing: That doesn’t mean we stop needing good stories. It means the people who can tell them clearly, truthfully, and without spin will rise to the top.
For Nevada, that’s a big opportunity.
As national outlets pull back, local and independent voices – like Nevada News & Views – can step up.
We don’t need robots to tell us what’s happening in Carson City, Nye County, or Las Vegas.
We need people who actually live here, who care about what happens in their communities.
Critics Say: Don’t Rush In
Now, not everyone’s cheering.
Some worry AI will flood the internet with even more fake news, deepfakes, and political propaganda.
Others say it’s just another way for big corporations to cut jobs and cut corners.
Fair enough. But the horse is already out of the barn.
The media world is changing fast.
Big companies like Gannett are scrambling to stay afloat. AI is speeding things up. Trust in the old outlets is falling.
And more Americans are turning to sources they trust – even if that’s a guy on YouTube or a neighbor posting on X.
It’s the end of an era, but maybe the start of something better. Especially for folks in Nevada who are ready to build what comes next.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
