Those supposedly secret reader survey panels convened by the Los Angeles Times to provide feedback on proposed changes — thanks for the posts, guys — are no more. An email to participants today:

Dear LA Times Panelist:

Due to the pending bankruptcy proceeding of The Tribune, it is with regret that I inform you that the LA Times survey panel will be suspended until further notice.

Since we are unsure when the panel will resume, we request all participants cash out their points for payment by January 23rd. If you were within 50 points of a gift card amount, we have added those points into your account.

In order to redeem your points, please login to www.rampanel.com and click on MY POINTS on the left hand side of the screen.*

Gift card confirmations should be sent by the end of January, but may be delayed due to altered submission requirements. If you already have a reward processing then you are all set and your gift cards will be sent at the end of January as well.

We are doing our best to get you your well deserved rewards promptly. We appreciate your patience on completing this process and truly thank you for all you have done to assist in making the LA Times a better newspaper.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Beth Allan-Bentley
Manager, Audience and Syndicated Research
Los Angeles Times Media Group

As Times freelancers have learned, cash in those gift cards as fast as you can.