Most newspapers have profit margins that, while not what they were in the 90s, would still make other local businesses quite happy. 

A former editor says the problem is not profits.

But as long as the owners chase margins from a bygone era, investment for the future won't be happening.

And on the same theme, this.

Comments

[Triadwatch]

You can also add that state legislatures all over the country are retooling their public notice bills to save a huge amount of money for the taxpayers. The monopolistic gravy train for peacemaker and news and record could be coming to a end in next 5 years.

[justcorbly]

I was going to ask about owners and execs sucking up profits. Then, I read the Atrios piece.

I have no illusion that digital media is going to fill the news production void created by vanishing newspapers. Web corporations are masters of the profit-sucking arts. Singleton bloggers and enthusiasts don't have the resources and/or skills to do it, even if they really aren't practicing propaganda in service of an agenda. Those are at the extemes, but I don't see anything in the middle, like hometown digital news production and distribution in places like GSO and Raleigh, managing to be sustainable.

We are headed for a more ignorant, more manipulable, culture.

[Billy Jones]

Triadwatch wrote: "You can also add that state legislatures all over the country are retooling their public notice bills to save a huge amount of money for the taxpayers. The monopolistic gravy train for peacemaker and news and record could be coming to a end in next 5 years."

Don't forget free obits.

[Lex]

Relatedly. Also.

We are living through The Big Loot. Well, some of us will live through it, anyway. One hopes.