The Once-Great Courier Journal

Here is a full-color example of why the Courier-Journal was once considered to be one of the great newspapers. When Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, the Courier-Journal Magazine printed this 16-page special edition with several full-color pages and zero advertising:

Now here is a full-color example as to why the Courier-Journal is a shell of its former being. As a reward for starving the Courier-Journal and other newspapers of its reporting work hours through layoffs and furloughs, Gannett has awarded its CEO, Craig Dubow, a $1.9 million cash bonus, in addition to his 2010 salary of $9.4 million -- doubling his 2009 salary. More:

Chief operating officer Gracia Martore was paid $8.2 million, with a cash bonus of $1.25 million. The bonuses were awarded partly on the basis of cost-cutting that included layoffs, unpaid furloughs and other austerity measures, according to a shareholders proxy report filed on Thursday...

• Chief Financal Officer Paul Saleh: $2.9 million; includes a $225,000 bonus, after joining GCI last November.  

• U.S. newspapers president Bob Dickey: $3.4 million, including $600,000 bonus. (His total 2009 pay: $1.9 million.) 

• USA Today Publisher Dave Hunke: $2.5 million, including $375,000 bonus. (Total 2009: $1.9 million.) 

• Broadcasting President Dave Lougee: $2.2 million, including $450,000 bonus. (Total 2009: $1.3 million.)

We now live in a world where an absentee landlord executive directly benefits by cutting hours and jobs in Louisville's newsroom. No glossy, full-color Elvis special editions for you!