A Senate subcommittee examined the state of American news coverage yesterday at a time when newspapers are being downsized and network TV news audiences are declining. Members of Congress, who
sometimes bristle at press coverage, are searching for ways to help buck up an industry that many Wall Street analysts think is past its prime in the Internet age.
"When it comes to
original in-depth reporting that records and exposes actions, issues, and opportunities, nothing has replaced a newspaper," Sen. Benjamin Cardin , D- Md., told the subcommittee. Cardin has
introduced the Newspaper Revitalization Act, which would allow newspapers to operate as educational nonprofits with a tax status similar to public broadcasters. The papers' advertising and
subscription revenue would be tax-exempt, and donations to the publications would be tax-deductible. At the same time, the papers would no longer be able to endorse political candidates.
Some newspaper executives are wary of Cardin's plan. They express concerns about the perception of a cozy relationship between the press and the government. Critics note that the press is supposed
to cover government aggressively to fulfill its "watchdog" function under the First Amendment.
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at McClatchy Newspapers »