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

[Ps104_33]

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.



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

 

[Revmitchell]

Newspapers were having problems long before the government mandated and regulated sub-prime loans created the current financial situation.

 

[sag38]

I don't take the local rag for two reasons. And, I'm sure most would cite these reasons also.

#1: It's vastly liberal in it's slant. Objectivity disappeared from most newspapers a long time ago. (I'd have the same attitude if it were vastly conservative)
#2: I can get all the news I need from the internet plus just about any other information that I need.

 

[windcatcher]

A lot of newspapers should fold if they can't clean up their image and start presenting the news where it is supposed to be and the opinion where it is supposed to be, and make a serious attempt at balance.

I would subscribe to the local news here...... if it would report the local news: I'd like to see the wedding announcements, birth reports, obituaries, anniversarys.......school events, openings closings and sports scores, and community events, much of the stuff whcih they now charge to insert or omit because someone either couldn't or wouldn't pay. I would subscribe to the local news if they were faithful in covering meetings like city hall, county commission, school board, and summary briefs of out comes or carryovers for further discussions, and not just police reports and crime.

But, alas, the largest, most comprehensive 'local newspaper' in this area is now owned by executives in New York, and all subscriptions go to them and, I'm certain, most if not all editing is done by them.

Want local news?........ Listen to the Am talk radio...... And alas, much of it is already being syndicated away in prime time (the only time reception is more than a dream)!

The day the internet is cornered or they start charging for pages viewed..... I guess I'll just have to go back to the ole smoke signals and mirrors........ But the environmentalist and bird watchers, etc... would quickly nix that!

 

[Palatka51]

I don't know about ya'll but I am getting quite sick of every aspect of business and economy, on hands and knees, begging for the tit of the government sow. :BangHead:

 

[tinytim]

Next thing we'll see is a church begging for help from the goverment.

 

[Aaron]

Open your eyes folks. None of this government "aid" is about help. It's about control.

 

[Revmitchell]

Open your eyes folks. None of this government "aid" is about help. It's about control.

Of big business

 

[windcatcher]

Of big business

And control of us and our bodies, minds...... and might as well add souls to that control. (If they get their way.)