In the age of the Internet, newspapers are still big business

IN THE AGE OF INTERNET, NEWSPAPERS ARE STILL BIG BUSINESS
[SOURCE: The Christian Science Monitor, AUTHOR: John Hughes]
[Commentary] For many newspapers, readership is down and advertising is off. Some major newspapers have laid off staff. American reporters abroad have been killed or held hostage in Iraq, while at home, some have been threatened with jail for refusing to disclose their sources. A few journalists have demeaned the principles of their profession by plagiarizing the work of others or totally manufacturing interviews and events. When caught, they have been fired. On top of all this is the fear that a multiplicity of new electronic toys and gadgets is encouraging a new generation to forsake the printed newspaper and gather its information via a keyboard and computer screen, or even a hand-held device prodded with a metal pointer. But while technology may change methods of delivery, as for example online, there is no content to deliver without a news organization to gather and edit it. In its annual report on the news media, the Project for Excellence in Journalism says the "evidence does not support the notion that newspapers have begun a sudden death spiral."
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0503/p09s01-cojh.html

See also --
* Tribune CEO: Not Likely to Face a KR Situation, But 'Possible'
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Mark Fitzgerald]
Speaking at Tribune Co.'s brisk annual meeting Tuesday, Chairman, President and CEO Dennis J. FitzSimons told anxious shareholders that the newspaper and broadcast giant will "win" eventually -- but he could not guarantee the company will not suffer the same fate as Knight Ridder. He noted, however, that unlike Knight Ridder -- bought last month by The McClatchy Company in a $6 billion deal -- big blocks of Tribune stock is in friendly hands. The McCormick Tribune Foundation, for instance, owns a 14% stake, the Chandler Trusts own another 12%, and 9% is held by employees.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...