As newspapers struggle to remain relevant and profitable in the midst of the new media revolution, their reforms are driving veteran reporters and editors to another line of work.

Last year, when real estate mogul Sam Zell stepped in to buy the debt-ridden Tribune Company newspaper empire, few thought it would lead to the departure of industry pinnacles like The Los Angeles Times’ David Hiller and The Chicago Tribune’s Ann Marie Lipinski.

But that is precisely what happened on Monday – and as a result, stakeholders in an industry already reeling from steep declines in readership and revenue now have yet another reason to be dreading what the future likely holds in store.

When leaders like Hiller or Lipinski resign from high-profile posts without any concerns as to personal performance or ability, it sends shockwaves throughout entire industries that are felt by investors, employees, and customers alike.

In response, it is imperative that companies engage these crucial audiences by directly addressing their anxiety with messages that communicate strength, stability and the prospect of continued success.

Any internal relations strategy must first and foremost assure key stakeholder groups that significant changes are merely part of a larger plan to enhance competitiveness in the long term. In the case of Lipinski, The Tribune was absolutely right to act quickly in naming her replacement. This shifted a story about what was lost to a conversation about what was gained.

With new media breathing down their necks, newspapers are certainly facing an uphill battle. But if they fail to keep key stakeholders on board during this time of unprecedented transition, what used to look like a gradual incline will take on Everest or K-2-sized dimensions.