11 September 2018 — 2141 mdt

Missoula Independent newspaper closed without warning

The Missoula Independent is no more. Employees who arrived for work this morning found the doors locked and that the newspaper, which had been purchased by the Missoulian last fall, was closed. The Indy’s website now defaults to the Missoulian’s, and access to the Indy’s archives, a valuable resource, is in doubt.

I’ve been expecting this. Lee Enterprises didn’t purchase the Indy to keep it open. Lee bought the Indy to strip it of assets, then, following a decent interval, close it down, eliminating expenses and competition. The decent interval expired yesterday and the liquidation has begun.

According to the Missoula Current, which has an excellent report on the Indy’s demise, the Indy’s staff will be paid through 10 October. Some may find work at other Lee publications. One or two might catch on with the Current, an excellent publication, but most will have difficulty finding jobs in news in Missoula. They face a hard winter and empty pantry.

The abruptness of the closing is mitigated to a small extent by the four weeks of pay, but is nonetheless brutal, right out of the Manual of Ironfished Unionbusting. The only thing missing is a squad of Pinkerton’s goons guarding the Indy’s front door. Lee is sending a message to employees who are thinking about unionizing: don’t.

Public displays of support notwithstanding — there was a pro-Indy demonstration this afternoon — the Indy is dead and won’t be revived.

If you supported the Indy, consider supporting the Missoula Current. It’s independent, professional, and an asset to Missoula. (Flathead Memo has no association with the Missoula Current.)