Media executives should let local news lead the way

[Commentary] Thomas Jefferson famously said that if he had to choose between having a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, he wouldn't hesitate to choose the latter. Jefferson was right, but I'd rather have a government without newspapers than newspapers that depend on government for economic survival. Publishers and news executives face perilous challenges, but they don't need, nor should they accept, help from government at any level. They have to save themselves. They should start with this premise: Their future lies in local news and analysis that have monetary value, no matter how they're delivered. Some newspapers have accepted the first part of that premise by shrinking their circulation areas and ending or curbing coverage of Washington and state capitols. But they are more reluctant to accept the second.