Most staff members at LA Weekly were purged Wednesday after the outlet was sold to a little known company, Semanal Media, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Before the sale was a day old, nine of 13 editorial staff members, including every top editor, were out at the publication. All but one of the staff writers were also fired.
Former LA Weekly editor in chief Mara Shalhoup reacted to the cuts on Twitter.
An article posted on LA Weekly’s website late Wednesday says the outlet’s new owner is a mysterious company, even to the few employees left at LA Weekly.
“The new owners of LA Weekly don’t want you to know who they are. They are hiding from you. They’ve got big black bags with question marks covering their big bald heads,” the article states.
“These new owners just laid off nine hardworking journalists. Why? For sport? To start anew? To fulfill a blood vendetta that is centuries old?” the article continues. “Maybe they have a good reason. Maybe they don’t.”
Brian Calle, who will manage LA Weekly’s operations, said the outlet has “the ability to be the cultural center of the community.” Details will not be disclosed until Calle meets with the new staff, however, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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