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Under Pressure, More Papers Swap Content With Rivals

Numerous rival papers--some that have battled for scoops for generations--have forged shared-content deals in the past year. From Florida to California, the arrangements are emerging among dailies with no common ownership or JOA ties. The idea is even taking on a regional tone, with new Midwest and New York area content swap deals that cross state lines. Generally, the business editor, city editor and sports editor at each paper share story lineups each day--which include most, but not all, of the paper's articles.

There is a downside, however. "The real loss is in the number of different [reporters] watching the same thing," says Keith Woods, dean at The Poynter Institute. "The overall loss is to the public."

But at a time when newsrooms are reeling, the era of shared content and story trading is likely to stay. According to Dave Zeeck, past president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, newspaper competition has changed with the increase in other online and mobile media news outlets. "Most papers are coming to the conclusion that the real competitors are other news providers--and time," says Zeeck. "Why not share coverage so everyone doesn't have to be everywhere?"

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