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I'm a manager, and being such I also have to deliver bad news myself. I find that, as in any situation, it's best to fill the shoes of both sides of the conversation and the effects. I love my workers, and I know that they look to me not just for things like advie on how to do their jobs, but real leadership. I take that responsibility very, very seriously. When I have to explain that my workers need to really buckle down and do their best, I make sure 1) that they know exactly why, 2) that I'll be working just as hard as them if not harder and 3) that I will always, always have their backs.
Your manager knows that sometimes he or she has to make your life harder for the good of the whole company. It's the old, "Ask not what your company can do for you..." type thing. When they have to deliver the news, softening it can create an environment of coddling and if you are too soft with your employees, I can asssure you that you will be walked all over. My first managerial position was me being a buddy to my employees instead of a leader and I failed in a spectacular way. I was lucky that my boss sat me down and read me the riot act instead of firing me. While it may seem like a good idea to have one on one meetings and let information spread slowly, it's just not efficient. Telling everyone at once is much, much faster and it doesn't require that the manager appear to be favoring certian people.
It seems the only two mistakes your manager has made is in creating an uncomfortable environment and not being open about business. You should always feel comfortable raising questions, so long as they are appropriate. Even the quietest, most introverted person should be helped in being comfortable being a active and vocal member of the team. "Money is tight" is innapropriate. There must be an explaination. Something like, "Recently competitors have been able to undercut our prices" or "Advertising has become more expensive" would be much better. Also, it allows more people to brainstorm on how to solve the financial crisis.
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