What's Happening?
Military.Com, a leading source of news for the military and veterans community, has undergone significant layoffs following its acquisition by Valnet. The Military.com News Guild reported that numerous journalists were either fired or pushed out, including several veterans. Valnet, which acquired the site after Career Builder/Monster's bankruptcy, has begun publishing articles by freelancers with limited journalism experience, signaling a shift away from hard news. The guild expressed concerns over Valnet's union-busting efforts and the replacement of salaried staff with contract workers.
Why It's Important?
The restructuring of Military.Com under Valnet's ownership raises concerns about the future of independent journalism, particularly in niche sectors like military news. The layoffs could diminish the quality and reliability of information available to the military and veterans community, impacting public discourse and policy discussions. Valnet's business model, which involves replacing salaried staff with freelancers, may lead to a proliferation of clickbait content, affecting the credibility of news sources. This development highlights broader industry trends of consolidation and cost-cutting measures in digital media.
What's Next?
The Military.com News Guild remains committed to negotiating a fair labor agreement with Valnet, despite the company's union-busting efforts. The guild's readiness to engage in discussions may lead to potential negotiations or legal actions to protect the rights of remaining staff. The shift in content strategy could prompt reactions from the military community and advocacy groups, who may demand accountability and transparency from Valnet. As the site transitions to a new content model, stakeholders will likely monitor its impact on journalism standards and the representation of military issues.
