Just wait folks. Just when you thought more of your money wasn’t going to be wasted. Now the newspapers want a bailout package of their own! And Congress is more than Happy To Come Through for them! Read it and WEEP!

Mainstream Media Bailout Bill Introduced

http://www.chartingstocks.net/2009/03/mainstream-media-bailout-bill-introduced/

The “Newspaper Revitalization Act” was introduced this week by Senator Benjamin Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland.

“We are losing our newspaper industry the economy has caused an immediate problem, but the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken, and that is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy. It is in the interest of our nation and good governance that we ensure they survive” said Senator Cardin.

The act would grant newspapers tax-free status as non-profits, a deal similar to that enjoyed by public broadcasting outlets, which survive on tax-deductible contributions from listeners. The newspapers, however, will also be able to enjoy tax free advertising revenue.

Is it really in the interest of our nation to bailout the newspapers?

Are these not the same newspapers that led the unchallenged drumbeat into the Iraq war? The newspapers who cheered for the economy as it became apparent that there were real problems emerging? Should we bailout a newspaper industry who has failed to properly inform the public as to where $10 trillion+ of their money has gone? The newspapers who silenced the campaign of Ron Paul, a Presidential candidate who broke fund raising records on his message of freedom.

The newspaper industry, owned and controlled by a hand full of giant media companies, has been reduced to an un-hired PR firm of the US government. A quick glance at the sourcing of major newspaper articles of makes this clear (Watch the Robert Fisk video below). They are dying because they deserve to die.

Newspaper are not “dying” because of their perceived to-the-left political viewpoints,but because they are becoming an an antiquated form of delivering news and information.Look at 24-hour news stations,instant internet news site,Blackberrys,radio etc.They gave news almost as soon as a happens.To a world that looks for instant gratification the newspapers just don’t cut it anymore.

And to think my tax dollars will be going to support Kevin Horrigan. Ugh!

Please let me clarify your comments on the proposal by US Sen. Cardin concerning newspaper-ownership.

The plan calls for allowing not-for-profit organization to be involved in publishing general-interest newspapers, either by purchasing an existing publication or by converting a publication into a non-profit entity.

Here’s a good overview of the topic from Reuters:

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE52N67F20090324?rpc=60

Basically, it would allow newspapers to function in manner similar to that of public broadcasting. And the plan would prohibit non-profit newspapers from endorsing candidates in political contests.

Unlike the banking and automotive support plans, this would involve no payments. It simple lets for-profit papers become non-profit entities, and could free papers from exactly the corporate ownership you complain about.

In many markets this would not work, for various reasons, but perhaps it could offer options in places like Denver and Seattle, where an existing publication is looking to continue printing after a proposed sale.

And this would surely encourage MORE, not FEWER, voices in the marketplace of ideas. Something that I would suspect nearly everyone who posts regularly to his blog would view be a positive development.

I had to get my magnifying glass out for the Sunday funnies again. Let’s hope that’s not a trend.

I do not like the changes made to the daily paper. The print is too small ant I can hardly read the obits. Obiviously you are following the quantity not quality format that has been the downfall of too many companies. I am considering cancelling my subscription. Looks like you want to follow the journal.

The changes in the newspaper were the main topic at breakfast this morning at a local diner. No one had anything positive to say about the new look of the Post. First of all, it was late most of the week. No one could find the weather without going through the entire paper. Some said there was a lack of national stories on the front page. The business section was lacking for many especially the stock listings. As for calling to get stock news, one man has an accent which the automated system won’t recognize. Don’t mess with people’s games either. The quiptoquip lacked the clue (r = c) which riled some. The new look of the Lifestyle section got a thumbs down by all. You ruined a great section. We realize you have to cut costs but don’t cut quality. Either you are getting lousy advice as to what the readers want or you don’t care. Many talked of having enough and canceling their subscriptions. I would think that is the last thing the Post wants.

i DID NOT FIND THE EXPLORE SECTION IN MY SUNDAY PAPER. The travel and TV listings are the main reason I subscribe. I hope this is a one time error!

To the Editors:
I am not very happy with the Post these days. I understand the reasons for a new format, however I am disappointed with the Lifestyle section on Saturday. I am also disappointed that you have decided to eliminate one of the few comics that I read (Brenda Starr)I have not liked the Sunday comics for a long time especialy since you removed Prince Valiant. I suppose this dates me as I have been reading the Post comics for the past 60+ years. When my parents subscribed to the Post. I am now 72 years old and I have subscribed for the past 49 years. I was really upset when I was charged over $600 for my husband’s ovituary. I related this to whom I thought was one of the managers of this department who stated that they would look into it and get back to me. I have yet to hear from them and that was in July. At this time I also asked that the Bill be changed to my name which has not been done. It is still in the name of H. William Mason. I think that if someone subscribes to the Post that they should get some kind of a discount on this charge. One of the suggestions from this department was to have left out some of the information.
I had decided to cancel my newspaper in February when I came back from vacation. When I called the circulation department they offered me a discount on my bill which was somewhat less than what I have been paying all these years. Well, I recieved the bill yesterday and it was for a year. Who is going to pick up these papers from my driveway should I die within the next year? My neighbors at 905 Oklahoma have been gone for the past 6 months and they are still getting parts of the Sunday paper, which I pick up and discard so as the home does lot look unoccupied. I do not want my neighbors to have to do this for me.
Thank you.

I’m disappointed,the business sec has nothing in it, the stock market is news and you all delete the s/p 500.I don’t understand that at all. less news,less paper,less everything.