Poynter Trims Program To Close Budget Gap

By: Joe Strupp After offering tuition-free seminars for journalists over 2001's last six months as a gesture of support for the media industry, the Poynter Institute of St. Petersburg, Fla., will offer seven fewer seminars this year in an effort to close a $300,000 budget gap, according to President James Naughton.

Citing revenue losses from last year's free classes, Naughton said the institute, owner of the St. Petersburg Times, would have to tighten spending to stay within its annual $8-million budget. The cutback means 67 seminars and other events will be held this year instead of the scheduled 74.