I'm a big fan of newspapers. I don't know how we will be able to keep a sense of community without a good hometown paper. However, newspaper publishers convince me everyday they are becoming insignificant. Either they don't know their business or don't care. They continue to do things that amaze me.
A hometown paper is only as good as the staff that covers local news and events. Surprisingly, that's the group that usually gets downsized first. Why should we take a newspaper for state/national/international news and events when there are so many other (and better) sources for that? Our local paper didn't realize for several days they didn't publish the result from a Friday night football game between two local schools - Is anyone at home?
Then there is advertising. The real purpose of a newspaper is to get advertising into the homes. Advertising pays for the news that gets delivered along side the ads. Now, we get a letter (see below) saying they are going to charge more for the paper they probably make the most money from, the paper with the black Friday sales. I wonder what the advertisers think about that....or subscribers?
A hometown paper is only as good as the staff that covers local news and events. Surprisingly, that's the group that usually gets downsized first. Why should we take a newspaper for state/national/international news and events when there are so many other (and better) sources for that? Our local paper didn't realize for several days they didn't publish the result from a Friday night football game between two local schools - Is anyone at home?
Then there is advertising. The real purpose of a newspaper is to get advertising into the homes. Advertising pays for the news that gets delivered along side the ads. Now, we get a letter (see below) saying they are going to charge more for the paper they probably make the most money from, the paper with the black Friday sales. I wonder what the advertisers think about that....or subscribers?
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