"We are losing our newspaper industry…the economy has caused an immediate problem, but the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken, and that is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.” Dem Sen. Benjamin Cardin
A couple weeks ago, I saw Nancy Pelosi was attempting to consolidate several newspapers from her constituency in the Bay Area. Since the San Francisco Chronicle is going down the drain, she wanted the Feds to loosen their grip on regulations that forbid certain media partnerships. This was an attempt to save her newspaper through illegal means…..she just wanted the Feds to look the other way…just this once.
Well, this morning I read there was actually a bill created in Congress by Democratic Senator Benjamin Cardin that will allow struggling newspapers to file as “non profit” organizations….similar to churches and PBS. This “Newspaper Revitilization Act” is designed for local papers, rather than conglomerates.
Although I am quite sure local papers are the “lifeblood” of the community, I do not feel the need to prop them up if they cannot do so on their own. The lack of ad revenue generally indicates a lack of interest. Obama feels we need the tax revenues that would normally be given as charitable contributions….so why would we NOT need the ad revenues from the newspapers. Let’s milk those, too!
If a Democrat sponsored bill is passed to save the failing newspapers, I am wondering who the papers will be endorsing in local, state, and national elections? I doubt they would bite the hand that feeds them!
And if there is talk of not allowing the sponsored papers to endorse candidates, what sort of precedent is that setting? It’s stifling free speech and makes me wonder what else will be “suppressed” in exchange for the ability to survive.
We witness day in and day out failing industries being artificially propped up to ensure survival. I’m just as sad as the next guy watching local papers fail, but there is obviously a more exciting alternative that readers are flocking to….
I’m sure those involved with the telegram industry were upset when the telephone took over as the primary communication medium. They had a nice run, but obviously it was time for a more responsive form of communication. I can almost imagine the telegram industry still existing today in order to assuage those that hate to see it go….if the Democrats had their way…..let ‘em file for bankruptcy and restructure.
And I’m wondering if they would be so quick to prop up a failing “Talk Radio Industry”?....no, they are actually attempting to weaken that platform....which is the "lifeblood" of many Americans!
We cannot have the government picking and choosing which media or industry to save….or destroy.
…..if these newspapers are so critical to the existence of the towns, they will find a way to make them work at the local level. If not, they can just start watching Fox News!!
Well, this morning I read there was actually a bill created in Congress by Democratic Senator Benjamin Cardin that will allow struggling newspapers to file as “non profit” organizations….similar to churches and PBS. This “Newspaper Revitilization Act” is designed for local papers, rather than conglomerates.
Although I am quite sure local papers are the “lifeblood” of the community, I do not feel the need to prop them up if they cannot do so on their own. The lack of ad revenue generally indicates a lack of interest. Obama feels we need the tax revenues that would normally be given as charitable contributions….so why would we NOT need the ad revenues from the newspapers. Let’s milk those, too!
If a Democrat sponsored bill is passed to save the failing newspapers, I am wondering who the papers will be endorsing in local, state, and national elections? I doubt they would bite the hand that feeds them!
And if there is talk of not allowing the sponsored papers to endorse candidates, what sort of precedent is that setting? It’s stifling free speech and makes me wonder what else will be “suppressed” in exchange for the ability to survive.
We witness day in and day out failing industries being artificially propped up to ensure survival. I’m just as sad as the next guy watching local papers fail, but there is obviously a more exciting alternative that readers are flocking to….
I’m sure those involved with the telegram industry were upset when the telephone took over as the primary communication medium. They had a nice run, but obviously it was time for a more responsive form of communication. I can almost imagine the telegram industry still existing today in order to assuage those that hate to see it go….if the Democrats had their way…..let ‘em file for bankruptcy and restructure.
And I’m wondering if they would be so quick to prop up a failing “Talk Radio Industry”?....no, they are actually attempting to weaken that platform....which is the "lifeblood" of many Americans!
We cannot have the government picking and choosing which media or industry to save….or destroy.
…..if these newspapers are so critical to the existence of the towns, they will find a way to make them work at the local level. If not, they can just start watching Fox News!!
6 comments:
I've typically agreed with the notion govt intervention is usually unecessary and unwarranted; one that reads this blog would also agree that there may be some inclination for the medium (paper) to support there supporters...(I hear you mention time and time again how the liberal media ruined the election, right? What - are the going to get worse!?)
But in bringing this all in together with prior blog posts, at what point are we going to be concerned about the Fehreinheit 451 aspect of things? When Big Brother has successfully taken away the only true form of "unchanged" history - paper.
Stories and history may change through time with the proper use of an electronic meduim, especially if our it becomes our only means of information...
The point: while newspapers aren't vital to our survival, may they serve a bigger function in our society than merely passing along musings and stories we can get an instant online??
Are they perhaps actually worth saving? We're giving billions to idiots still taking bonuses but can't give them a TEMPORARY tax break to help a long time American staple?
Decent point...but I'm not sure how "Big Brother" is successfully taking away newspapers? They don't have anything to do with the demise.
My concern is having the governmnet prop up newspapers...think this could lead to a little "quid pro quo", don't you?
And my point was that we should NOT allow Big Brother to interfere with any aspect of our media...
Weeeell, it's not so much big brother doing away with newspapers just the possibility of further ease of manipulation of information to the masses, that's all.
I can respect that, and I could tell where you were going with the "1984" reference. A lack of printed media makes it easy to manipulate older information, I suppose.
I just think the government "propping up" newspapers is a quasi "takeover"...therefore scarier than the alternative. Print media is "bound" (nice pun) to die anyway. Think how many trees we could save....awwwwwww!!!
Guess we're going to have to start printing some shit out!!
if newspapers die how will i find parts for my lobo like i usualy do?
Kyle
Guess you'll have to clean up those old Auto Trader magazines you have lining Buster's cage!
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