As of yesterday afternoon, the Nashville Business Journal found itself down two reporters and a news editor. That won’t last long, as there’s plenty of former Tennessean types floating around town, not to mention the casualties from other media outlets throughout Middle Tennessee. The Biz Journal also benefits from its corporate parent, American Cities Business Journals, having a very deep bench of talent, some of whom may well wish to transfer here.

What’s starting to happen, though, is that journalists who find themselves out of work are exploring the online market rather than pulling up stakes and moving to a new city. Simple reason for that – there aren’t any jobs. The industry continues to contract, and until people wake up and realize that the members of the vaunted blogosphere aren’t going to cover county commission meetings and the other nuts and bolts of a local daily, the shrinkage will keep going. (It’s worth noting that the conglomerates aren’t exactly helping the cause – a quick review of who the Tennessean lets go, and who it keeps, more than capably makes that point.)

(And while we’re on the subject of the Nashville Business Journal and ACBJ in particular, full disclosure time: I was a staff reporter there from May 2000 through November 2003. RIP Mr. Shaw – you understood the value of a good newsroom and quality reporting/editing. You will be missed.)