Layoffs of Three Pulitzer Prize-Winning Editorial Cartoonists Highlight Decline of the Art Form in Print Industry
NEW YORK — In a year filled with grim economic news for media companies, the recent layoffs of three Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonists on the same day came as a devastating blow. The firings of these cartoonists, who were employed by the McClatchy newspaper chain, serve as a stark reminder of the dying art form and the general trend away from opinion content in the struggling print industry.
Last week, Jack Ohman of California’s Sacramento Bee, Joel Pett of the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky, and Kevin Siers of the Charlotte Observer in North Carolina lost their jobs. Ohman, who is also the president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, expressed his shock at the sudden layoffs, stating, “I had no warning at all. I was stupefied.”
McClatchy, which owns 30 U.S. newspapers, announced that it would no longer publish editorial cartoons, citing changing reader habits and a focus on providing local news and information. This decision marks a significant blow to a rich history of editorial cartooning, which has played a crucial role in political commentary for centuries.
At the turn of the 20th century, there were around 2,000 editorial cartoonists employed at newspapers. Today, there are estimated to be fewer than 20. The last full-time editorial cartoonist to win a Pulitzer was Jim Morin of the Miami Herald in 2017. Since then, the Pulitzers have broadened the category in which cartoonists compete, renaming it “Illustrated Reporting and Commentary” due to the diminishing number of employed cartoonists.
Experts attribute the decline of editorial cartoonists not only to economic factors but also to a growing timidity in the industry. In an era when readership is dwindling, newspapers are hesitant to publish content that may provoke anger or controversy. This reluctance is evident in cases like Joel Pett’s, where he was given guidelines on what topics to avoid in his cartoons, leading to accusations of self-censorship.
The diminished value placed on opinion content is also reflected in the reduction of opinion pages and political endorsements by major newspapers. Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in the U.S., announced last year that opinion pages would only be offered a few days a week, citing low readership and a lack of interest. This shift leaves less room for editorial cartoons, as newspapers seek to cater to local concerns rather than engage in national political discourse.
As a result of these changes, newspapers that still want to include cartoons are turning to syndicated services, which primarily focus on national or international issues. This shift further limits the ability of cartoonists to address local concerns and connect with their communities.
While some argue that the decline of editorial cartooning is a reflection of newspapers’ failure to engage their readers, others point to a broader cultural shift away from political satire and a preference for inoffensive, humorous drawings. Cartoonists fear that there is less appetite for the provocative nature of political cartoons, which often aim to challenge and critique those in power.
Ultimately, the layoffs of these Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonists serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by the print industry and the diminishing space for opinion content. As the industry continues to adapt to changing reader habits and economic pressures, the future of editorial cartooning remains uncertain.
Original Story at abcnews.go.com – 2023-07-16 19:40:14
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