PORTLAND – The Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram, which announced a hiring freeze one week ago, have eliminated 21 positions, resulting in job losses for 15 employees.

The freeze was imposed in response to declining circulation and flat advertising revenue. Charles Cochrane, the newspaper’s president and chief executive officer, said the cuts, which included six unfilled positions, were needed to maintain the company’s financial health. Cochrane said the industry is undergoing fundamental changes that may result in jobs being added at the newspapers’ online site, www.MaineToday.com, which is growing.

The Press Herald and Sunday Telegram are owned by The Seattle Times Co.