Star changes get mixed reviews-WEB ONLY

The Indianapolis Star’s decision to eliminate its business section and roll that news inside the paper’s main pages is generating mixed reactions from business and academic leaders.

Changes to the Star, including the scrapping of its stand-alone, four-page business section, started yesterday and mainly are the result of declining revenue and surging newsprint prices, Star Publisher Michael Kane told readers in Sunday’s edition. The merging of sections follows 62 job cuts at the newspaper last month.

“At a time of much uncertainty and change in our industry,” Kane wrote, “we’ve been hit hard by national economic hardships as well.”

Roland Dorson, president of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, understands the Star’s decision, particularly given the struggles daily newspapers are facing. Another Gannett-owned paper, the Detroit Free Press, cut home delivery to three times a week in December.

“I’m sorry about the demise of the daily newspaper, but it is what it is,” Dorson said. “The Internet’s at everyone’s fingertips. If you’re in that business, you have to respond to the changes to remain viable.”

But Jim Brown, dean of the journalism department at IUPUI, isn’t so forgiving.

“I understand that newspapers are hurting financially right now, but I really don’t understand why the business section is being targeted for cuts,” he said. “This is a critical time when investors, homeowners, workers and those looking for employment need information.”

Multiple rounds of layoffs at the Star also concern Brown, who said experienced staffers most knowledgeable about the city often are targeted first.

The newspaper also eliminated its classified section, opting to list those advertisements within its third section, now called “Extra.” It also contains comics, TV listings, puzzles and advice columns, as well as food, health, and home and garden features spread throughout the week.