Public Investment and Digital Innovation Could Be Salvation of Failing Newspapers

Interview with Josh Stearns, program manager with Free Press, conducted by Scott Harris

As the global financial crisis took its toll on all parts of the U.S. economy, many American newspapers found themselves on the brink of economic disaster. Some longtime journals have died, such as Denver's Rocky Mountain News. Others like the Christian Science Monitor and Seattle Post-Intelligencer have ended print publication and moved to online editions. The Tribune Company, owner of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, along with the publishers of the Philadelphia Inquirer and the New Haven Register have declared bankruptcy. The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press have cut back home delivery from seven to three days a week, while the Boston Globe and New York Times are in financial distress.

The media reform group Free Press recently released a report on the newspaper crisis titled, Saving the News: Toward a National Journalism Strategy. The study analyzes the economic and technological changes contributing to the decline of the traditional newspaper business model and proposes strategies to ensure the survival of local journalism.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Josh Stearns, program manager with Free Press who co-authored the report. He summarizes "Saving the News," and its recommendations for changes in ownership structure, tax incentives, journalistic training and investments in experimental models and pubic media.

Contact Free Press by calling (202) 265-1490 or visit their website at www.freepress.net where you can download a copy of the report.

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org

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