Government aid could save U.S. newspapers, spark debate

[babsbunny]

http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSTRE4BU53T20081231?sp=true

By Robert MacMillan - Analysis

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Connecticut lawmaker Frank Nicastro sees saving the local newspaper as his duty. But others think he and his colleagues are setting a worrisome precedent for government involvement in the U.S. press.

Nicastro represents Connecticut's 79th assembly district, which includes Bristol, a city of about 61,000 people outside Hartford, the state capital. Its paper, The Bristol Press, may fold within days, along with The Herald in nearby New Britain.

That is because publisher Journal Register, in danger of being crushed under hundreds of millions of dollars of debt, says it cannot afford to keep them open anymore.

[stillcool]

1. Fuck that...

More sites that pay journalists to write anything they damn well please, as along as it has the why, where, what, and how. Until we have more government control of the internets that is.

[azul]

2. newspapers and media have tainted themselves

Try telling the truth. Try to fulfill the duty of the press and provide oversight for corruption in government and business criminality.

Be honest and provide information in the best interests of society and people will read it and advertisers will get back on board.

Media ownership and censorship are also obvious problems that discredit their objectivity.

The industry has lost credibility and thus relevance and needs to get back to the basics in order to survive.

The news industry needs a thorough housecleaning, not rewards for bad behavior.