The federal government is probing the plans of two major newspaper publishers - Gannett and the New York Times Co. - to acquire or invest in local rivals on the grounds that it might violate federal
antitrust laws,
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. The paper said the Justice Department inquiry was prompted by Gannett's acquisition of Home Town Communications Network, and by the
Times Co.'s plan to acquire a 49 percent stake in
Boston Globe rival
Metro Boston.
