Rescuing the newspapers

Senate hearings are scheduled on what to do to help the newspapers. I would like to see how they can maintain their claims of objectivity. Also, even if rules go through that they can no longer editorialize, I don't see how that effects their ability to slant the news or the op-eds that they pick to run.

Troubled by the possible shuttering of his hometown paper, Sen. John Kerry reached out to the Boston Globe on Tuesday, then called for Senate hearings to address the woes of the nation's print media.

"To the Boston Globe family," the Massachusetts Democrat wrote to employees of the 132-year-old publication, which faces closure unless it can come up with $20 million in union concessions to parent company the New York Times by May 1. The Globe is losing $1 million a week.

"America's newspapers are struggling to survive, and while there will be serious consequences in terms of the lives and financial security of the employees involved, including hundreds at the Globe, there will also be serious consequences for our democracy where diversity of opinion and strong debate are paramount," Mr. Kerry said. . . .

From the AP:

Washington State Legislature Approves Tax Break -- for Newspapers

Published: April 27, 2009 2:30 AM ET
SEATTLE The Washington Legislature has approved a measure to give the state's struggling newspaper industry a temporary break on the state's main business tax.

The Senate passed the bill on a 46-2 vote Sunday. It passed the House last month and now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Under the proposed measure, the business and occupation tax on newspapers would be cut by 40 percent through 2015. . . .