Waxman Wants to Bail Out the Propaganda Machine

[wilheldp_PE]

Henry Waxman wants government to provide some support to the ailing newspaper industry.

While this has implications for the media it also has implications for democracy," he added. "A vigorous free press and vigorous democracy have been inextricably linked.
"We cannot risk the loss of an informed public and all that means because of this market failure," he said.

Basically he is saying that losing the propaganda from the mainstream media is unacceptable to the political agendas in Washington. He would rather people get their information from sources he can control than from the internet where an actual free exchange of information takes place.

 

[CbusPaul]

Worst idea ever. He also states that the newspapers are facing "a structural threat to the business model that has sustained them." It is sad that we have become a country of bailing people out instead of using their failure to force them to change to a sustainable plan. Relying on the government is becoming a critical piece of a company's business plan.

 

[Fluvial]

Basically he is saying that losing the propaganda from the mainstream media is unacceptable to the political agendas in Washington.

I don't know that I agree that's his agenda, but I do think it's a bad idea to keep propping up old technology. This is the same thing that happened to bricklayers when poured concrete buildings became possible. Or Detroit automakers, even.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Well, here's my take on it, about my local paper, The State, that I used to subscribe to. Here's why I think they are failing.

1) They repeatedly post far left leaning articles. My state is decidedly right leaning.

2) They fired two long standing editors to 'contain costs.' Note that they weren't unprofitable at that point, just not making as much as McClatchy decreed.

3) Overemphasis on sports. I don't care at all about it, so the three sections of sports on Sunday mean nothing to me.

4) Upping subscription rates from 104 to 151 per year for long time subscribers.

5) Charging 25 cents a week extra to get the TV guide (subscribers only)

6) Deleting the editorials on two days a week.

7) Charging 1.00-1.75 above normal costs for mandatory 'sports extra!' that I don't want.

The State can go fish.

I buy the Sunday paper for the TV guide and read the rest of it online.

 

[Flyer_PE]

Waxman's line of thinking would result in my '99 pickup truck having a mandatory buggy whip installed to keep the buggy whip manufacturer's business model from failing.

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

I don't have a problem with newspapers going extinct. And I love to sit back and read the sports page at lunch.

They are obsolete. 24 hours news networks and the internet have made them irrelevant.

Records became obsolete when casettes showed up. Cassettes became obsolete when CDs showed up. CDs are struggling due to digital music devices.

How are papers any different? I'm sure the guy at the VCR factory lost his job when DVDs became prevalent.

Smart business models react and adapt to change, not flounder then beg for help.

 

[Fluvial]

It's not only that stuff, Cap'n (although some of that bugs me too), it's also that people just don't take the time to sit and read the paper like Grandpa did. People are "plugged in". They have the Internet at their fingertips, not to mention the TV news.

I agree that there is too much 'sports news' and sensationalism in the newspaper. This is their way of trying to attract readers. The problem is, people who will actually sit and read a paper aren't the same people who are interested in that stuff. The people who *are* interested in that stuff don't read the paper.

@Flyer: Exactly. And especially VT's last statement.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

It's not only that stuff, Cap'n (although some of that bugs me too), it's also that people just don't take the time to sit and read the paper like Grandpa did. People are "plugged in". They have the Internet at their fingertips, not to mention the TV news.
I agree that there is too much 'sports news' and sensationalism in the newspaper. This is their way of trying to attract readers. The problem is, people who will actually sit and read a paper aren't the same people who are interested in that stuff. The people who *are* interested in that stuff don't read the paper.

@Flyer: Exactly. And especially VT's last statement.

Yeah, I am one of the few people who would rather hold the paper and read it. My sister can't believe I don't have a Kindle. I just like the book sensation.

And I don't understand why they don't get the thing about the sports. You're dead on with that.

 

[Santiagj]

I read a lot of news however I read it almost exclusively online. I think a newspaper is just cumbersome. Those damn huge pages!

I am a youngin too (28) so you can't blaim it on the belief that young people don't care about news.