Forget Free Speech: Its Time To Grovel

The London Free Press is slated to become a "mobile newsroom", so called because these kinds of changes typically involve reporters being set free to wander the streets in search of other employment.  In any case, Quebecor boss-of-bosses Pierre Karl Péladeau decided he would use the occasion to visit his word-slaves at the LFP and pull a few wings off.  In advance of the glorious visit, Joe Ruscitti, the paper's editor-in-chief, sent around the following e-mail:

“Monday morning Aug. 29 930-11ish, PKP will be in the building and it’s my understanding he aims to have a walk about in the newsroom, including chats with staff.

“This would be a good time to look and act sharp.

“This would probably not be a good time to tell the boss how much better we would be if we had this many more reporters or this or that piece of equipment, etc.

It turns out PKP didn't show, though the revamp is still scheduled for late this month.  The reporters lose their cubicles.  The old press room is being rented out as a hand-ball court.  As part of the "mobile" theme, staff will have to bag their own trash and carry it to the dumpster. 

So I hear, anyway.