Gannett, the largest newspaper publisher in the US and owner of USA Today, is offering voluntary buyouts to employees as it looks to cut costs and invest more heavily in AI and automation.
In a memo to staff, CEO Mike Reed said the company’s revenue had remained “static” in recent years, with sales falling from $3.21 billion in 2021 to $2.51 billion last year. He described the buyouts as part of a broader plan to “support sustainable growth”.
Staff have until July 30 to accept the severance offer and must remain in their roles until September 5. Specific terms have not been disclosed.
Gannett’s workforce has shrunk significantly in recent years, falling by nearly 20% since the end of 2022. This latest round of buyouts follows similar efforts in 2020 and comes on top of other austerity measures, including unpaid leave in December, a hiring freeze, suspended 401(k) contributions and the option for reduced work weeks or sabbaticals.
In a statement, Chief Communications Officer Lark-Marie Antón said the company was focused on using automation and AI to streamline operations. The voluntary buyout programme, she added, would provide “near-term flexibility” while acknowledging employee contributions.
Gannett owns more than 200 papers across the country, including The Arizona Republic and The Indianapolis Star. But like many legacy publishers, it continues to face pressure from falling print revenues and slower-than-hoped digital growth. The company posted a net loss of $53.7 million in the second quarter of 2025.
While the company says it is committed to transforming its business model through technology, the financial strain shows no sign of easing.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated July 24, 2025. Similar reports about Gannett’s financial challenges and buyout offers have appeared in the past, notably in October 2022, when Gannett announced voluntary buyouts and other cost-saving measures. ([adweek.com](https://www.adweek.com/morning-media-newsfeed/gannett-announces-new-cuts-including-mandatory-unpaid-leave-buyouts/?utm_source=openai)) However, the current report provides updated financial figures and specific details about the buyout offer, indicating a higher freshness score. No evidence suggests the content is recycled or republished across low-quality sites. The narrative appears to be based on a recent press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The updated data justifies a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from CEO Mike Reed and Chief Communications Officer Lark-Marie Antón are consistent with their previous statements. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting potentially original or exclusive content. The wording of the quotes matches previous communications, with no significant variations.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from TheWrap, a reputable entertainment and media news outlet. While TheWrap is known for its coverage of the entertainment industry, it has also reported on media and business topics. The report includes direct quotes from Gannett’s CEO and Chief Communications Officer, adding credibility. However, the reliance on a single source and the lack of corroboration from other major news outlets slightly reduce the reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Gannett’s declining revenue and the offering of voluntary buyouts are plausible and align with previous reports of the company’s financial challenges. The narrative includes specific details about the buyout offer, such as deadlines and conditions, which are consistent with standard corporate restructuring practices. The language and tone are consistent with corporate communications, and there are no excessive or off-topic details. The report does not include any surprising or impactful claims not covered elsewhere, and the structure is focused and relevant.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and provides updated information on Gannett’s financial situation and voluntary buyout offers. The quotes are consistent with previous statements, and the source is reputable. The claims are plausible and align with known information about the company. No significant issues were identified, and the content appears to be original and not recycled.
