Another Nail in the Coffin of Democracy and Journalism
Commom Dreams, Jake Johnson, August 6th, GateHouse Media announced it will purchase Gannett (USA Today, Detroit Free Press, Indianapolis Star, and other major American newspapers). GateHouse Media publishes 144 daily newspapers, 684 community publications, and over 569 local-market websites in 38 states.
If approved the result will be a $1.4 billion news conglomerate. Common Cause stated a “combined GateHouse-Gannett entity would own one in every six newspapers in the nation and control over 100 local news operations.” While the media giants touted their commitment to “journalistic excellence” in a press release, the merger announcement comes with plans for $300 million in annual budget cuts.
A study by the University of North Carolina confirmed the U.S. has lost almost 1,800 local newspapers since 2004. Newsroom employment fell by a quarter from 2008 to 2018 (Pew Research) and layoffs have continued this year.
I apologize for making this comment here, but I think AB people should know. As of today I am unable to read Econospeak, although I posted there. It is listed as being a “blocked site,” supposedly due to “porn” content, of which there is none remotely. I do not know why this is happening or who is behind it nor what to do about it, which is partly why I amposting this comment here now. If anybody can help us, please do.
Barkley:
Just posted there. I think you are ok. Who has the keys of control at econo? At AB, it is Dan and I. I am so tight I squeak when I check out commenters.
I remember your mail system at work had been compromised about a year ago? That would be another avenue for sourcing depending on how you are accessing the internet.. I have had no trouble with Econospeak.
This merger may not happen after all:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/09/media/gatehouse-gannett-mng-enterprises/index.html
PGL:
True, it will need approval. Do you think it may not be approved under the current administration?
Whether Trump approves this or not likely depends on whether USAToday is being nice to Trump I guess. But the ownership motivations are very mixed right now as well. The truth is that neither company is all that profitable right now so I’m not holding stock in either.
Hey pgl:
Most printed news is not profitable by much these days. Hence the buyouts and restructuring.
The problem at Econospeak has been resolved, thankfully.
Barkley:
Good. If we can help, we will do so.
Bill