Enough about Burlington's health. How about the health of its daily newspaper, the Burlington Free Press?
Gannett announced more layoffs earlier this month. The paper had already cut six staffers (although not all in the newsroom) in August.
The Burlington Free Press is just one of the many victims of the collapse of the newspaper industry. Yet residents of Burlington should be concerned: it's the only daily paper in the town. If the paper cuts back on its coverage -- and, worst case scenario, even shuts down in a few years as ad dollars continue to dwindle -- it's going to leave this town poorer in many ways.
This came to mind listening to government officials talking about bailing out the auto industry: You will still be able to buy cars from other manufacturers even if the US automakers collapse. But if your town's daily newspaper goes belly up -- well, you can't look to Japan to supply news for your town.
So how about a bail-out for the ailing newspaper industry? It would prop up an industry that employs 54,000 reporters, editors and writers (down from a peak of almost 57,000 in 1990) and pulls in advertising sales of $42 billion a year.
Aside from the economic impact, think of the civic benefit. If newspapers shut down, who will write that investigative piece into a local drug problem, or uncover wrong-doing by a local politician? Well, Burlington is lucky in that it has an excellent weekly newspaper. But in general, competition between newspapers -- for scoops, readers, awards -- leads to better writing and a better served community.
And I'm not the only one thinking along these lines....
