Insight cuts back as Wash. Times starts re-evaluation

The Hill/April 20, 2004

Insight magazine, the feisty conservative biweekly publication of The Washington Times, is laying off more than half its staff of 25 fulltime employees, The Hill has learned.

The move comes as the Times conducts feasibility studies to determine the future of the 18-year-old publication, which has a paid circulation of about 40,000.

About 15 employees are being laid off.

Sources at the Times, which is owned by the Unification Church, said the paper's monthly magazine, The World & I, and a Spanish-language newspaper it publishes in New York are being discontinued because of financial pressures.

"Insight magazine has announced layoffs," Paul Rodriguez, who has edited the magazine since 1994, said Monday.

"At the same time, a feasibility study for future operations is being conducted."

He added, "Other opportunities are being pursued to maintain publication of the magazine," which will publish its latest issue this week. The magazine's online edition is also continuing to be published.

Times sources said the company hopes to save about $6 million through the cost-cutting measures.