U.S. newspaper publishing firm A.H. Belo Corp. announced Monday that it will be increasing the base salary of two of its top executives, even though it has installed a wage freeze across the entire company and suspended profit-based fees to retirement plans, The Canadian Press reported.

The move is seen as a "return to a more standard compensation structure," the group said. Overall salary for Chief Executive Robert W. Decherd and Chief Financial Officer Alison K. Engel may not increase after bonuses, stock options and other awards, but the guaranteed pay will be augmented.

Along with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Belo decided last week to increase Decherd's annual base pay from US$250,000 to $600,000, which is still less than his previous $800,000 salary. Decherd will also be slashing nearly $330,000 in bonuses in 2008 "based on meeting cost-control targets," The Canadian Press reported.

Meanwhile, Engle will be getting $315,000 instead of $250,000, following analysis that revealed that her salary during 2008 was lower than average. Other executive wages, however, will stay put at 2008 levels.

Parent company of The Dallas Morning News and The Providence Journal, Belo effectuated a salary freeze across its board on November 1. In addition, the company said it will be deferring profit-linked fees to employee's 401(k) retirement accounts until the group begins prospering financially, according to The Canadian Press.

Belo mentioned that its losses during the third fiscal quarter of 2008 were extended due to severance costs and a damage charge, following declining advertising sales. Dividend payments were also suspended this year and the publisher cut almost 700 positions.