Executive directors of UK regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press agreed to forgo bonuses for 2008, due to a fall in earnings, Media Guardian reported Wednesday.

The executives also saw total pay decline by about 46 percent; however, basic salaries did increase. Tim Bowdler, the company's former chief executive, for example, saw his total remuneration fall 46 percent from his 2007 earnings, but his basic salary increased by £17,000, according to the 2008 annual report.

In 2007, Bowdler's total pay was £1,088,000. In 2008, he received £584,000, including a base salary of £573,000, according to the annual report, out Wednesday, Media Guardian reported. Bowdler's replacement, John Fry, will be paid half the original annual salary of his predecessor.

Johnston Press's chief financial officer, Stuart Patterson, saw his salary drop 45 percent from 2007. Danny Cammiade, the chief operating officer, and Roger Parry, the outgoing chairman, also saw similar pay decreases after passing on their bonuses.

"Given the reductions in earnings in 2008 and the significant drop in the company's share price in the year, every director voluntarily agreed to forgo any bonus for 2008," the report stated, according to Media Guardian.

Johnston Press publishes more than 300 newspapers across the UK, including 18 dailies, such as the Scotsman.